It is important to guide the transformation of society as a whole, in a reasonable manner, into a decarbonizing society.
The government has adopted a basic environmental plan, the fifth of its kind, as a Cabinet decision. The latest plan is marked by an emphasis on environmental measures linked to changes in technological development and changes in the social structure.
Behind this is the Paris accord, which will initiate efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the United Nations adopted in 2015.
Torrential rains and other violent meteorological phenomena, the kind that used to be perceived as happening once every several decades, continue to occur frequently. No delays must be permitted in responding to climate change.
If a disproportionate emphasis is placed on environmental measures, on the other hand, it will inescapably and adversely affect economic activities. It has become even more important to fully utilize cutting-edge technology, thereby achieving both reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and economic growth.
Home electrical systems that detect people and adjust lighting and room temperatures would help to reduce wasteful energy use while also providing greater convenience. The spread of self-driving cars designed not to emit carbon dioxide, would greatly help elderly residents in sparsely populated areas in which there are few means of transportation.
The basic plan states that it will seek integrated improvement in the environment, economy and society, and its course of action is appropriate for the trend of the times.
The "value chain" approach has been newly included in the plan's policies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The concept calls for monitoring the amount of carbon dioxide discharges at each stage of activities, ranging from the procurement of raw materials and manufacturing to the use and disposal of the products and services.
Raise public awareness
Doing so will spread awareness of emission reductions across every part of society, encouraging the spread of outstanding energy-saving products.
An example of this is hybrid cars, which use both internal combustion engines and electric motors. A greater amount of carbon dioxide is discharged during the process of producing them than in manufacturing vehicles only powered by combustion engines. However, hybrid cars emit a small amount of emissions when they are operated, and therefore they are greatly effective in reducing emissions overall.
If consumers have a higher awareness of emission reduction, they will naturally become certain what kind of product they should choose to buy. This would also increase the competitiveness of corporations that market highly eco-friendly products.
The basic plan also calls for promoting measures aimed at adapting to climate change. It is indispensable to shift to lifestyles and industries suited to the ongoing process of global warming. It is necessary for the public and private sectors to cooperate in promoting this endeavor.
There are concerns about a decline in the quality of agricultural products due to high temperatures. There have already been reports of damage to such products as rice and oranges. They are said to not grow sufficiently and not taste as good as in the past. There is a high possibility that chief producing districts for such products may be located further north due to a rise in the average temperature.
The government has submitted to the current Diet session a bill aimed at requiring local governments to put together climate-change adaptation plans. It is hoped that the legislation will provide an opportunity to make the importance of adaptation measures widely known.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 23, 2018)
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