Kouta Akatsu (participant)

*Group name

Aeon Cheers Club Nagahama

*Country/Region

Shiga Prefecture, Japan

*Type of Group

Community

*Number of total members of your group/project

9 persons

*Number of regular participants in activities

9 persons

*Characteristic of members

Since Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, lies very near us, we do research of aquatic organisms of the lake and the nearby rivers. Because I love rivers, especially beautiful ones, I take extra care not to contaminate the river water.

*Theme(s) of your group/project

*Forests/Tree Planting, *Water Issues

*Missions and activities of your group/project

We plant trees and catch organisms living in rivers for observation purpose.

*Characteristics of the group/project activities

We regularly meet once a month on a Saturday or a Sunday. During long vacations we also meet on weekdays. Meetings are held at the nearby Aeon store.

*Most importnat way of thinking of your group/project for environment

To help local children and adults to come together to think about the environment.

*What kind of group/project do you want to exchange for imformation and experience with?

Groups working towards nature conservation

*Short message for exchange with other group/project

Let us all work hard towards activities to better the earth's environment.

*Impression of Children's World Summit for the Environment 2005 Aichi

The presentation on ultraviolet radiation was most memorable since I had been most interested in it. I had known that ultraviolet radiation had adverse affects to the ecology and human organism but was ignorant of the fact that they caused cataract and change in the color of plant leaves. Taking part in the Summit was a great learning experience for me.

*Others

We took part in tree planting after returning from the Summit. Despite the heavy rain, the soaking wet ponchos, our wet bodies and mud covered shovels, it somehow felt really great. Also, I've been trying to cut down on electricity waste since coming back from the Summit.

*Contact person

Kakubo Store Manager

*Contact Address

271-2 Yamanashi-cho, Nagahama-city, Shiga 526-0847 Japan