点废成绿 Greening the Beige (GtB) is an eco-minded arts collective and not-for-profit community network dedicated to nurturing awareness of environmental issues. 点废成绿 GtB promotes and celebrates earth friendly artists and organizations in Beijing.
"Why are we being forced to choose between the economy and the environment? We tend to forget that without an environment we would not have an economy, as everything we consume and I mean everything comes from our environment."
~ Franke James (contemporary artist, photographer, writer)
Beijing's landfills are getting full fast! Reduce the "trash" you throw away by purchasing products with minimal packaging. Look for reusable, recyclable, and biodegrable items and remember to carry your reusable shopping bags!
AJ brought this speech by Haurki Murakami to my attention while I was still in Fukushima. I just wanted to note his stress on the need to REMEMBER the damage and sufferers created by the recent nuclear disaster.
I’ve always wanted to visit Japan, so when the chance came along for me to go this summer I jumped at it. But given the current state of environmental crisis that’s overtaken the lives of thousands (upon thousands) of Japanese, there was no way I could travel there without offering my support.
A bit of online research led me to the Volunteers For Peace website, where I quickly found programs that I was not only eligible for, but extremely interested in learning from. The local organization I chose to work with -- N.I.C.E. (Never-ending International workCamp Exchange) has been running environmental education and sustainability projects throughout Japan for over 20 years prior to the March 2011 disasters.
Weighing the risks and rewards of participating in my first disaster relief experience – in Fukushima -- I was immediately drawn to the philosophy and aims of the NICE project: “Please apply if your motivation is to create effective innovative change within the community and the world through voluntary service.”
Traveling in Japan as a volunteer allowed me to connect with people and places in a way that would be impossible for me to do simply as someone just passing through. Despite my complete lack of language fluency, I received a very unique perspective of the local surroundings and situation.
I felt fortunate to personally discover the many beauties and charms of Aizu-Wakamatsu, an old samurai city, historic healing landmark for Dr. Noguchi, and quiet hot springs resort town that’s now home to 7,000 refugees from the Futaba area. Additionally, I got to meet a huge host of dedicated, passionate and kind-hearted volunteers from all across Japan (plus 1 from Hong Kong and 1 from Brooklyn, NY).
Visit here to read more about my initial reaction to the program;
Read here about the kids camp they provided for nuclear disaster refugee families;
And/Or here to read about the Pear Farm Rescue Project they’re running.
I spent 2 weeks volunteering in the NICE program, and I would like to return next year to help more. In the meantime, they are still accepting volunteers for the Aizu program through September 4th. If you or anyone you know would like to connect, volunteer or donate to this organization, I highly recommend supporting the meaningful work that they’re doing however you can.
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Project Extensions
Volunteers For Peace & NICE have extended their disaster relief project dates through Spring 2012.
Anyone living in the US or Canada (of any nationality) is eligible to apply and receive travel reimbursement. Go here for more details:
http://vfp.org/volunteer-info/special-japan-relief-projects
..............................garbage in, garbage out