Abstract
This paper provides an itemized description of what the average person can do about climate change if they consider themselves to be global citizens. Based on what was presented at the Japan-Germany Warming Prevention Symposium, I first introduce some local government initiatives taken in Germany. Here, I emphasize how important it is for the efforts of central and local governments, as well as citizens, to be moving in parallel directions. At the same symposium I expounded on the topic of how waste management is closely linked with the prevention of global warming and introduced the commitment behind Kyoto City’s latest waste management campaigns. Next, the paper explains how changes in the lifestyles of citizens can be effective in preventing global warming. The paper shows the results of a survey we conducted, which calculates and compares CO2 emissions among citizens who consume high amounts of energy and those that have opted for environment-friendly living styles. Lastly, citing data on how the livestock industry adds enormously to the greenhouse gas problem, I recommend that, from the point of view of our food-related carbon footprint, global citizens will need to closely review their eating habits in order to curb global warming.
