C2O : Carbon to Zero

The major theme of this year’s G8 Summit is the environment, including climate change, global warming, etc .
Japan, the host of this year’s G8 Summit, possesses a spiritual term, mottainai, meaning “do not waste, use everything in a fashion commensurate with its true value.” This concept recognizes the mysterious “giftedness” of all existence, and urges that natural resources must be used appropriately, while simultaneously encouraging responsible and sustainable consumption. The concept also provides a base for recognizing that it is unethical to burden future generations with excessive pollution or other gross environmental imbalances. Development must be environmentally sustainable.
Here are 7 ways to do our part to start making a difference now.
- Commit to a reduction of total national defense and military expenditures and utilize the saved funds to establish an Earth Fund dedicated to environmental protection.

- Establish a new binding framework to follow up the Kyoto Protocols that limits global average temperature rise to avert catastrophic climate change.

- Provide leadership to expand energy efficiency and conservation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission rates.

- Advance policies and practices that increase forestation and other forms of carbon dioxide sequestration.

-Recognize that trading “global warming gas emission rights” has at best limited value, and could disproportionately penalize the least developed.

- Facilitate major investments in the development of new sources of energy and technology essential to sustainable development, specifically without jeopardizing food security.

- Implement the recommendations contained in the Kobe 3R Action Plan (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)..