Thought For The Week 29 July 2018

I have recently returned from attending the Zonta Convention in          Yokohama which gave me an opportunity to visit the Sankeien Garden (approx. 43 acres) located in the middle of the city of 3.9 million, ventured to the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park area (Mt Fuji) and to walk through the forested area (170 acres) of the Meiji Shrine within the densely populated city of Tokyo (almost 14million people) along with enjoying a walk through the wide open spaces of the Imperial Gardens.

Our church’s recent series of conversations on Caring for Creation was in my mind as I walked through these gardens and streets of the two cities. Everywhere I looked I saw order. No rubbish bins on the pavements, no public cigarette smoking therefore no butts, no chewing gum on the pavements, no sign of spitting either. The Japanese people appear to respect and care for their environment but behind this view I note there is still a lot of work to do to minimise industrial pollution and waste.

Just as it is in New Zealand, there are a growing number of people and groups in Japan who are promoting a clean green environment and for the need to minimise waste and pollution. With approximately 128 million people concentrated in to 10% of Japan’s urban areas one can understand the complexity of the challenges for the people of Japan.

When did you last take a walk through our Timaru Botanical Gardens? “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for God founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers. Psalm 24: 1-2.

Helen Carter