Balance

I don't like to think of myself as an environmentalist, but I do like to think that I care whether or not I am damaging the Earth. There are cost and rewards in my mind, and I know a lot of people feel a bit smug about the fact they are sacrificing for the environment. At times I admit I do feel that smug feeling, but on the most part I feel bad because I am only willing to do so much.

Yesterday for about the first time ever I called in delivery. I have done this I think 4 times ever since I came to Japan and last night was actually the first time I have ever done it for myself. (I usually call in with friends)

Granted I drive a car which is horrible. I really do not need a car. I could fully bicycle to school, and since I have a car I use it to do things I could not have done if I did not have it. (Thus incurring more driving)

Some people criticize this about me, and sometimes it's not so open but I feel it's still rather obvious. However I am rather certain these same people call out to eat, and let me just say I am shocked by the waste!

For my one meal I got no less than 5 different pieces of packaging. They also gave me a menu which is silly since I went on their website to look up their menu and don't need it. Said menu was also laminated, making the process of throwing it out and burning more painful. Also thinking about the fact that someone had to ride a moped to my house, and then ride back just for one meal also just silly.

I normally walk to this place but last night I was rather sick and still a bit dizzy from some lingering sinus infection. I normally do not call take because I often try to consider how that incurs waste.

I am by no means that good at saving the environment. But I do try to really think about how I can save and on and that weight that against what I am willing to do with in reasons. For example actually saving my plastics and then walking to the local market and then dropping it off there, along with my milk cartons (or in my case drinkable yogurt) As, I have to walk there anyway to get food. Also trying my absolute best to never use or take plastic bags, even when I forget my eco-bag. Because, granted I look silly carrying 5 pieces of grocery in my hand to walk home but good god I do not want another stupid plastic bag in my house. I also restrict myself to 5 minute showers at the maximum, because really any more time and I am just wasting water. I also unplug every appliance when not in use, because it only takes a second or so and never turn on more than one light in my house, because who needs that much light anyhow?

I was amazed when someone stayed over my house. This person was someone who apparently cared about the environment, but he turned on 3 lights in my house, and actually had to ask why I kept on turning them off. I asked him why he needed 3 lights on to watch TV while he was surfing the internet. At which point I turned off the TV.

A lot of people like to nitpick that one obvious big environmental no-no and poo-poo others and yet, I find that they often feel good about themselves for their one saving grace and don't keep their eyes open for minor saving thats occur through out their lives.

I as a note turned on my A/C for the first time in 7 months.(It doesn't have a heat function anyhow..) In the winter months I have no source of warmth other than a sleeping bag, more clothes and an electric blanket. But, in all honesty I don't really mind the cold. While for some this is unthinkable suffering, for me not turning on or having an a/c in this Japan death summer is FAR WORSE.

Still I do realize that heating and cooling are the most wasteful and energy sapping things you can do, so I moved all my things into the one room that has the A/c and closed all the doors. I have my a/c set at 26, and while not even that cold it dries out the death humidity, and is cool enough if I walk around half naked.

So am I going to feel better when I drive today? A little actually, because I accept that for me personally not driving is just something that is not feasible for me. But, 5 minute showers, not using bags, and living in a very cold apartment was.

I am not going to judge you if you don't do those things I do, because for some people it is just simply unreasonable, even though for me personally I don't see how it's that much of a bother. So maybe I periodically buy some food stuff that had to be shipped from America, but then I don't buy clothing that was made in China then shipped to America and then reshipped to Japan because it's fashionable. Periodically eating yummy food I can't find in Japan is a priority, fashion is not. For those who find fashion a priority then so be it.

So if your doing everything in your power and you are truly sacrificing, that is GREAT. You should feel smug and awesome and you can totally judge EVERYONE for being wasteful and poo-poo me and just about everyone else. But till then, while you can suggest to me things please try not to judge or wag your finger at my waste while not looking at your own.