Day 039 — Speaking: 環境問題と個人の行動

Yes, I'd say it's become a regular part of how I think. I try to make conscious choices — for example, I use public transport whenever I can and avoid single-use plastics. I wouldn't say I'm perfect, but I do try to be mindful of my impact.

The main things I do are recycling, reducing energy consumption at home, and choosing to walk or cycle for short distances instead of taking a car. I've also started carrying a reusable bag and water bottle. I think these small habits can actually make a difference if everyone adopts them.

I think awareness has grown considerably in recent years, especially among younger generations. Many people are concerned about climate change and air pollution in particular. That said, I feel that many people still prioritise convenience over sustainability, so there's room for improvement.

It's becoming more common, yes. Most households now separate their rubbish into different categories — burnables, non-burnables, and recyclables. However, I think the system could be made simpler, as some people find it confusing and give up.

I'd like to talk about a lifestyle change I made roughly a year ago — I switched from buying plastic water bottles every day to using a reusable bottle.

I decided to make this change after watching a documentary about plastic pollution in the ocean. The images of marine animals affected by plastic waste were really striking, and I realised that my daily habits were contributing to the problem, even in a small way.

Initially, it felt a little inconvenient — I had to remember to fill the bottle before leaving the house and carry it around all day. But within a few weeks, it became second nature, and I actually enjoy it now because the bottle keeps drinks cold for a long time.

In terms of its environmental impact, I estimate that I've stopped buying around 15 to 20 single-use plastic bottles per month. Multiplied across millions of people, that kind of individual action can make a significant difference. Moreover, I've influenced a couple of friends to do the same, which has a small ripple effect.

Overall, I believe that while this one change seems minor, it represents a shift in mindset — from passive consumer to someone who takes responsibility for their choices. That shift in thinking is, I'd argue, the most important part.

In my view, it's a shared responsibility, but governments bear the greater burden. This is because individuals can only do so much — they're constrained by the systems and infrastructure around them. Governments, on the other hand, have the power to set regulations, fund green energy research, and hold corporations accountable. That said, individual behaviour does matter — consumer choices can drive market demand for sustainable products. So ideally, both must act: governments create the conditions, and individuals make the most of them.

There are several reasons. First, many green alternatives — like electric vehicles or organic food — are more expensive, putting them out of reach for many. Second, people tend to underestimate the impact of their own actions, thinking "one person can't make a difference." Third, changing habits requires sustained effort, and environmental benefits often feel abstract or distant. I think addressing this requires both education to make the issue feel urgent, and policy — such as subsidies for sustainable options — to remove financial barriers.

Campaigns can be quite effective at shifting public attitudes, but their impact on actual behaviour is more mixed. For instance, campaigns about plastic straws successfully changed many people's habits relatively quickly. However, campaigns around bigger issues like carbon emissions often struggle to translate awareness into action because the scale of change required feels overwhelming. Campaigns work best when paired with clear, simple actions people can take immediately.

I think both are necessary, and waiting for technology to "solve" the problem is risky. Technological solutions — like carbon capture or advanced solar panels — hold great promise, but they are still developing. In the meantime, behavioural changes such as reducing meat consumption and flying less can meaningfully reduce emissions right now. I believe we need a two-track approach: invest heavily in green technology while simultaneously encouraging behaviour change at the individual and corporate level.