Japanese consumer co-ops hold many events for their members to learn about the environment and biodiversity. Among them, one of the activities of Kyoto Co-op is introduced below.

Kyoto Co-op held study sessions on the environment and living creatures on November 5 and 19 at the Kyoto City Zoo and Kyoto Botanical Gardens respectively.

On November 19, an event to learn about biodiversity was held at the Kyoto City Zoo with a total of 40 participants, of which 23 were adults and 17 children.

 　　 　

The participants learned from Mr. TANAKA, Manager of the Kyoto City Zoo, about the history of the Zoo, its role, and the two giraffes born this year. In addition, they learned about the impact of environmental destruction on wild (natural) animals through quizzes.

Subsequently, a tour of the park was conducted and participants while listening to detailed explanations from the tour guide (staff), were able to learn about the importance of biodiversity and the preservation of the global environment. 

After the tour of the park, participants asked several questions, such as "How do you respond to natural disasters?" "Are there disaster drills?" etc. All these questions were answered.

　

  　　 　

In addition, as part of the Kyoto Co-op's environmental project, an event to learn about the environment and living creatures was held at the Kyoto Botanical Garden on November 5, with a total participation of 45 co-op members ranging from children to adults. Participants enjoyed a walk through the garden while learning and receiving guidance.

　

 　 

The theme of the presentation was "Efforts to Protect Biodiversity," and the speaker spoke about the importance of biodiversity and the activities the park is undertaking to protect rare plants.

The role of botanical gardens is to conserve and manage a wide variety of plants. At the Kyoto Botanical Garden, about 100,000 plants of 12,000 species are being protected and nurtured, including 300 species of endangered plants that are on the Red List. In the future, there are plans to increase the number of plant species to 500.

　

 　　 

The participants also learned that simply protecting certain plants and animals alone will not preserve the richness of an ecosystem and that protecting all living things in the garden will lead to the preservation of biodiversity.

・It was good to know a little bit about the ecology of animals at the zoo and the work of veterinarians. It was fun to see the animals.

・It was a great opportunity to tour the zoo and receive explanations about animals that I don't normally see. Thank you very much. The quiz was also very informative as I didn't know some of them.

・My favorite animal is a giraffe, so I was very happy to hear so many stories about them and to see a family of six giraffes!

・It was also good to see the difference in size and growth between those born in August and those born in June.

・The tour explanation was easy to understand, and I was able to learn with great interest. I enjoyed walking around the park while being guided to places that I normally pass by.

・It was very informative to hear about the purpose and origin of the botanical garden. I found it very easy to listen and understand. However, it is an indescribable situation that human beings are both driving the species to extinction and protecting them, but I would like to try to live an eco-friendly life, even though I can do little as an individual so that the situation doesn't get any worse.

・I now understand the important role of botanical gardens. It was fun to walk around the garden while listening to the explanations. I learned that in the past after the war, the area became a residential area for the Occupation Forces and some trees were cut down. I thought that the botanical garden with its abundant greenery was only possible because of peace. Then I wondered what is happening to botanical gardens in Ukraine now.

*Kyoto Co-op is a primary consumer co-op with a membership of 564,980(as of March 20, 2022), engaged in home delivery, stores, welfare, electricity, and funeral services in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.

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