Search Buddhist Channel
Taipei law firm aims for `carbon neutral' lifestyle
By Meggie Lu, Taipei Times, Nov 27, 2007
Taipei, Taiwan -- What can a person traveling to Bali, Indonesia, do to neutralize the carbon emissions produced during the trip?
For environmentalist Robin Winkler's partners at his law firm, that involved forgoing the elevator for a month and taking the stairs to the 12th-floor office on Chongqing S Road.
Employees at Winkler Partners adopted a low-carbon lifestyle when the firm opened 2002, Winkler said.
"But to say that one lives a low-carbon lifestyle is actually a little `green washing' [claiming to be ecologically friendly when one is not] in that it gives the impression you have done everything you can to reduce your carbon emissions," the Taiwanese-American said.
"In actuality, you can always do more [to reduce your carbon emissions]," he said.
Earlier this month, and against Winkler's advice, employees at Winkler Partners went on a company trip to Bali, he told the Taipei Times.
Winkler decided to turn the Bali trip into an "educational experience," he said, adding that his staff calculated the amount of carbon emissions the trip had generated, and translated that into elevator trips, plastic bags and cups they needed to cut down on to make the trip "carbon neutral."
"However, the concept of `carbon neutrality' leads people to think that they can continue to do things as before, just so long as they make up for it, when in reality it is the absolute number we need to reduce, and our lifestyles we need to change," Winkler said.
"When you eat imported food, buy new things, turn on the air conditioning, or travel, you need to think first whether it is necessary," he said.
Winkler refers to this as "living mindfully," a concept borrowed from Buddhism that he thought perfectly applied to the fight against global warming.
"Some of my environmental thoughts may be a bit radical for some people, but without reducing comfort and efficiency, some things are not doable. They serve as reminders that we can always do more," he said.
Winkler also cited Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental documentary, The 11th Hour, saying that in the end Taiwanese can only contribute a little. The real battleground for reduction of carbon emission, he said, lies with government agencies and companies.
"We can always opt for elevators, but the governments and businesses are the ones capable of making a substantial impact," he said.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv