By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
The Edo period of Japan, spanning from 1603 to 1868 under the Tokugawa shogunate, offers valuable lessons for today's world in terms of ecological sustainability. During this era, Edo, now Tokyo, was a bustling city of nearly one million people, characterized by its use of wooden structures and an impressive closed loop economy.
Due to limited trade and resource scarcity, Edo developed a circular economy where almost everything was reused, repaired, or recycled. A cotton kimono, for example, would go through multiple stages of repurposing before finally being used as fuel. This practice of recycling was so ingrained that the city had over 1,000 businesses dedicated to refurbishing and recycling.
Timber was a crucial resource, and to address its scarcity, the Tokugawa shogunate imposed strict regulations on logging and embarked on extensive reforestation programs. These measures ensured sustainable use and regeneration of resources, reflecting the principle of "mottainai" having just enough and avoiding waste.
The Edo period was not without its flaws, including its feudal and patriarchal societal structure. However, its low footprint economy sustained for nearly two centuries, fostering a rich cultural era marked by poetry, art, and theater.
To address today's ecological challenges, we could adopt similar principles by striving for a no waste circular economy and reducing consumer demand to sustainable levels. The European Union's "right to repair" legislation is a step in this direction. By learning from Edo's example, we can work towards creating a sustainable future.
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