QIAN in Engineering Department at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology does research about eco-friendly energy. The beautiful green and cool buildings in the campus were wonderful.

・Special lecture by Dr. QIAN Eika

In the history, people developed the economic condition, changing the energy sources. And now, the earth faces with environmental problems. What should we do to protect the earth? Then, Dr. QIAN told us that we need to know recyclable energy as one of the important solutions of energy problems. Recyclable energy has two main merits. One is reducing the amount of CO2 we produce in generating energy and the other is that we will never run out of it because it is sustainable. However, its cost prevents it from spreading. From this viewpoint, in QIAN laboratory, they regard recyclable energy as an assistance of generating energy. When we listened to their explanation, we were shocked because we had expected that they would totally agree with our idea and say, "That's a good idea and lET's use recyclable energy a lot!"

・Talking with the students at the laboratory

Listening to them, the phrase "Doctor of the earth" was very impressive for us. We think people who take care of the earth's environment are essential. People taking care of the earth are to the earth what doctors are to human. There were also many foreign students who were working hard, collaborating with Japanese students, so we felt environmental problems are global, indeed.

We visited Euglena Corporation (hereafter, "Euglena") which does business dealing with euglena.

・Project of utilizing euglena's good points

　Euglena is a kind of algae microbes. It is rare in that it has both animal's and plant's characteristics. "Euglena" succeeded in culturing euglena outside. The number of euglena is increasing rapidly.

　The corporation uses euglena in two ways mainly. One is as an energy source. The oil contained euglena is suitable to fly airplane. And the other is as food. Euglena includes 59 nutrients. So, using such unique microbes, "Euglena" has been making efforts to solve environmental and food problem in the world.

・Business developing

　We heard many kinds of information of "Euglena". One of them, about business developing, was very interesting for us. In many companies, managers often say, "We should start from producing goods whose profit rates are high. And by using the profit, we can reach projects whose profit rates are low." As for energy business, it cannot make a great deal of gain. That's why we can say that energy problem is difficult to solve.

　At last, an officer of "Euglena" talked about their dream. They hope that euglena will be used in many ways in the world. We felt their passion from their powerful speaking and "human energy" from them.

Mr. Hasumi Takayuki, a leader of "JUON NETWORK" (hereafter JUON) talked us what they do. JUON is an incorporated non-profit organization.

・"Niko hashi" ;"smile chopsticks" made in Japan

JUON manufactures and sells "smile chopsticks". It uses the rest of thinning timber. The belief of mottainai made them to produce "smile chopsticks." 70% of Japanese land is covered with forests. Most of them cannot live without any help. So, to keep the forests in a good shape, we make thinning timber necessarily. The "smile chopsticks" supports the Japanese nature. We had thought "Taking chopsticks everywhere is kinder to the earth than using disposable wooden chopsticks." However, in some cases, it is not true because the chopsticks we often use are made from petroleum and we wash them with washing liquid as we use.

　Moreover, the project contributes to the job opportunity of disabled people. It means handicapped people work at the factories of "smile chopsticks". The institutions for these people are often located on mountainous regions to access to the clean air. So, a lot of handicapped people cannot get opportunities to work. "Smile chopsticks" can be a help to bring more chances for those people to work and be involved in a community. As for its demerits, it is costly. 95% of chopsticks Japanese use is made in China which is 1 yen per a pair of chopsticks. Contrary to that, "smile chopsticks" is 2.5 yen per a pair of chopsticks. While there are some negative points, we think we should use the chopsticks because it is friendly to the environment and people.

　From Mr. Hasumi's speech, we realized the importance and the warmth to do these projects which are kind to environment and people. In JUON, one out of three people is a university student.

　We think the younger generation should participate in these activities and take over the attitude.