Published by Meguro City
One night, Kanta had a dream.
“HELP!!!” Float the Polar Bear was yelling.
“What’s wrong, Float?” Kanta asked.
“While I was enjoying the view from my iceberg, without me noticing, the ice around me disappeared.”
“What!? Why did the ice around you disappear?” Kanta asked surprised.
“I know!” said Kanta’s old sister, Kyoko, as she appeared next to them.
“Well, it’s carbon dioxide. We can’t see it, but it attracts lots of warm things.”
“When there’s a lot of carbon dioxide, the earth gets hot.” continued Kyoko.
“So there’s so much carbon dioxide that it can even melt a large iceberg?
But, why is there so much carbon dioxide?” Kanta asked.
“There are lots of causes.
When we use a lot of electricity and gas, carbon dioxide increases.
The electricity we use is made by burning things.
That’s when carbon dioxide is released.”
Kyoko was very knowledgeable.
“If we can’t use electricity, we’ll have to light candles and won’t be able to eat our favorite ice cream. And no games, either.”
When Kyoko said this, Kanta got so sad he began to cry.
Float comforted Kanta as he cried.
"Kanta, if everyone tries to cut down their electricity use, we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide."
“Oh, I see. Then, let’s all think of ways to reduce carbon dioxide.”
“Well… Ah! I remember, my kindergarten teacher telling us to turn off the lights in the rooms when we’re not using them.” Kanta said.
“Kanta, why don’t you cut down on the time you spend playing games and watching TV? And also, remember to turn off the power when you finish,” said Float sternly.
“And also, don’t leave the fridge door open. The cold air escapes, you know.” Kyoko added.
“Keep the air conditioner at a reasonable level. And when we burn rubbish, carbon dioxide is released, so try to reduce rubbish, too.” Float carried on.
“Rubbish should go in the dustbin. But, glass bottles and plastic bottles are recyclable, so they aren’t rubbish.” said Kyoko.
“Thank goodness! Even we can reduce carbon dioxide!” Kanta smiled.
Just then,“Kanta, wake up! It’s time to go to kindergarten.”It was mom’s voice waking him up.
“Good morning!” Kanta woke up in a good mood.
“Dad, the air conditioner temperature is too cold. Can you keep it at a more moderate temperature?”
“Mom, you left the kitchen light on.”
“Kyoko, I’m turning off the TV.” Kanta told her proudly.
And then,“Kanta, don’t leave the fridge door open.”
Everyone teased Kanta.They all laughed at Kanta, who was flustered, but he was also laughing.
“Well, I feel relieved for now.” Float went back to find a new iceberg.
There’s more we can do:
●Save hot water by sharing bath water one after another.
●Bring your own shopping bag when you go shopping.
●Try not to waste things. (Buying unnecessary things increases the amount of garbage you produce.)
●Use trains or buses instead of cars.
Let’s all strive to make the Earth a better place.
Grandpa Pengorou
この絵本は、目黒区の温暖化対策事業に役立てるために寄付された、学校法人日出学園の文化祭(すずかけ祭)での収益金により作成しました。
おくづけ
「しろくまフロートくんのおねがい」英語
発行:目黒区
編集:環境清掃部 環境保全課
翻訳、朗読:Tim Gray
音楽:秋山裕和
企画:にほんごの会くれよん
制作:多言語絵本の会RAINBOW
This work is not for sale, nor for revision, nor for any change.