About
The first action of Associates of the Earth (AOE) goes back to 1993, when Executive Director of Shadow Play Theater “Kashinoki” Jun Miyauchi produced the shadow musical play “ Secrets of the Earth” written by Tsubota Aika, who won the UNEP Global 500 Award. This shadow play musical was played in the 1994 Earth Summit in Shimane, and become the UN 50th memorial play.
Triggered by this shadow musical play, the bridge between UNEP and Jun Miyauchi, current chairman of AOE, was created for the first time, and he officially started the PR activities for UNEP in Japan since 2002. At first, Miyauchi formed a predecessor to the current association called the NPO World Environment Photo Exhibition Executive Committee, and held exhibitions of the UNEP "Focus on Your World" International Photographic Competition on the Environment in Japan and other Asian countries.
Exhibitions of UNEP "Focus on Your World" International Photographic Competition on the Environment (=FOYW) in National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Exhibitions of UNEP FOYW in Manila Airport, Philippine
Exhibitions of UNEP FOYW in Beijing, China
Such achievements led AOE to be allowed by UNEP to publish Japanese versions of UNEP magazines such as “Our Planet” and “TUNZA”. Through providing publicity for UNEP in Japan and over Asian countries, AOE activities intend to help people deepening their understanding on global environmental issues as well as finding truly happy life and seeking real humanity.
Japanese Version Our Planet, 2008 Vol.4
Japanese Version TUNZA, 2009 Vol.1
Strategy
Although many efforts and initiatives are being focused on climate neutrality in the world, relevant information has not been well disseminated in Japan due to lack of mediators. The non-profit organisation, Associates of the Earth, already created UNEP information display centers as key transmitters at six locations in major cities in Japan and intend to increase the numbers to ten in 2011, while enhancing the quality of display. Concretely, the core pages of UNEP magazines are to be enlarged and panelized for direct visual impact. In the meanwhile, tabloid versions of UNEP magazines edited on climate neutrality measures are to be prepared as handouts for visitors. Associates of the Earth would also like to consider broadcasting how other Climate Neutral Network participants are addressing their problems.
UNEP information display center in Tokyo Big Sight
In their offices, AOE sets Air Conditioner at 28℃ in summer and 20℃ in winter, both of which are recommended by the Ministry of Environment for the Government of Japan. AOE uses recycled papers and prints its documents on both sides. Moreover, their staff save electricity by turning off the lights whenever not used, and use their own chopsticks for lunch rather than using disposable ones.
When holding UNEP Photographic Exhibitions, AOE always makes maximum efforts to reduce garbage, and their staff also use public transportation to venues.
In order to publish Japanese version of UNEP official magazines, AOE prints on papers which are approved by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and actively employs eco-friendly printing methods. AOE prints magazines in the ISO14001 approved factory with soy ink and waterless printing method. In addition, AOE adopts Computer to Plate (CTP) printing method which leads to filmless printing for reducing CO2 emission.
Photo Gallery