The news this morning broadcast that a Japanese team from Tokai University has leapt to the front in the 10th World Solar Power Car Challenge in Australia.

But what is a solar car race? Is the winner the car that goes fastest?

No … The vehicles are competing on which vehicle can get there using the least amount of energy, rather than in the shortest time.

From Darwin across the desert to Adelaide

The event is meant to be a trial and exhibition of ecologically friendly vehicles, by racing them through the heart of Australia’s landscape.

The vehicles race for nine hours each day. And at the end of each day the teams camp by the side of the road. Sounds hot and dusty!!

Have you ever wanted to be part of this kind of race?

Go Japan … Down Under!

Take a look at this solar powered grand prix race on youtube.

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From January 2010, Tokyo Taxis are going green!
Of course this doesnt not mean that all taxis in Tokyo are going green but significantly a select number will lead the way. There is a pilot project using the Better Place’s infrastructure in Roppongi Hills and Central Tokyo that will test how effective mass mobilisation of this technology could be.

The Japanese government has commissioned the vehicle service provider Better Place to test the world’s first electric taxis with switchable batteries.

The California-based company, Better Place, will partner with Tokyo’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu in a project that will start in January 2010.

Better Place to launch Taxis in Tokyo

This is the cab giving us a little demo via youtube.

I suppose one of the key issues for the cabbies will be the impact on business costs and earnings. Going greener will no doubt be more beneficial for the environment, but how will it effect the taxi drivers bottom line? Will it in fact be a more economical option given that the price of fuel has been quite volatile?

Press release from Better Place explains

Japanese taxis represent approximately two per cent of all passenger vehicles in Japan but twenty per cent of all CO2. Tokyo R&D Company, a specialist in automotive engineering and production, will supply the cars based on commercially-available vehicles, with the necessary battery latch mechanisms and switchable batteries. The company will also be involved with building the battery switch site, and provide diagnostic software for the pilot. The vehicles will be put into standard taxi service by the Nihon Kotsu taxi company.

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Brilliant capture, by Markus T Lasut, but terrible reminder of the tragedy of Minamata, Japan

China is reporting the most recent lead poisoning scandal due leaked pollutants in the water stream. It is another terrible example of factory bosses forgetting to work with environmental issues and wrecking havoc on their surrounding communities.

Sadly, it reminds me of the tragedy in Minamata, Japan where the community was poisoned by mercury.

The photo of these mecury balls at the Minamata Disease Memorial represents the souls of those sacrificed to the scandal of Japan’s own posioning experience.

China and Scandal of Lead Poisoning

Minamata was a small fishing and farming village off the Western coast of Kyuushuu, Japan. In the 1930′s, the Chisso Corporation began to manufacture acetaldehyde which was used to produce plastics. Waste from the factory spilled into the Minamata Bay and the eventual result of this environmental practise was mercury poisoning of the community.

By 1968, Chisso stopped the production of acetaledyde but by then the toxic effluents had been discharged untreated into the sea for 36 years. The devastating practises left an enduring and fatal legacy on the area and on the Japanese people. It is widely believed that the mercuy sludge at the bottom of the sea bed is not able to be recovered.

Photographing the effects that the poisoning had on the community

Minamata City has built a museum to pass on the lessons to future generations and visitors from around Japan and from overseas.

It is a museum that has collected objects relating to the Minamata disease. One of the hopes is that it generates interest in the problems of pollution and environmental disasters to try and prevent such travesties happening again.

It is a shame that collectively man keeps forgetting to learn from the past! This piece of youtube video explains more about mercury poisoning and the disaster of Minamata.

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Furoshiki as a birthday present wrapping

The Furoshiki is a Japanese traditional wrapping cloth which is used repeatedly in different and often stylish ways. The furoshiki is said to have been first used in the Muromachi Period (1392-1573). People would spread it out in place of a bath mat or wrapped one’s clothes with it.

As for me, I think I still have a way to go in learning the more sophisticated wrapping styles. But here are some great examples of how you take up the eco-friendly challenge and also enjoy a furoshiki revival.

Perhaps the furoshiki might help you package up some fruit? The great thing about the furoshiki cloth is that it is so versatile.

Fruit in Furoshiki

Here is some youtube footage of working with the furoshiki

A few years ago, the Japanese Minister for the Environment even presented the “Mottainai Furoshiki” to promote the eco-friendly revival of the Japanese furoshiki. Its good to see the combination of eco-friendly ideas and culture being encouraged at this level.

I’ve created what you might call a “mottainai furoshiki”. The Japanese word mottainai means it’s a shame for something to go to waste without having made use of its potential in full. The furoshiki is made of a fiber manufactured from recycled PET bottles, and has a birds-and-flowers motif drawn by Itoh Jakuchu, a painter of the mid-Edo era.

……… It’s much better than Plastic bags you receive at supermarkets or wrapping paper, since it’s highly resistant, reusable and multipurpose. In fact, it’s one of the symbols of traditional Japanese culture, and puts an accent on taking care of things and avoiding wastes.

http://www.waku.jp/contents/2004winter/furoshiki.html

There are some really good books available on Amazon to get you started on this eco-friendly wrapping style. One of my favourites is this one.

Amazon - Lots of books on Furoshiki Wrapping Styles

Another idea from a blogger on Japan has been to ask super markets to provide a furoshiki instead of a plastic bag at the check out….. so far I havent found a company that has taken up this challenge.

Wine in Furoshiki

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