Since the 20th century, human activities have caused global-scale environmental problems. The way we use energy is also being reconsidered.
Basic Knowledge
Main global environmental problems:
・Global warming: an increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2)
・Destruction of the ozone layer: caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), regulated by the Montreal Protocol
・Acid rain: caused by emissions from factories and automobiles
・Desertification: caused by overgrazing and deforestation
・Decline of tropical rainforests: caused by development and slash-and-burn farming
International efforts:
・1992 Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro): based on the principle of “sustainable development”
・1997 Kyoto Protocol: obligations for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gases
・2015 Paris Agreement: all parties submit reduction targets and aim to keep the increase below +2℃ compared with the preindustrial level
Energy: a shift is under way from dependence on fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) to renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass).
Global warming (a rise in average temperature caused by increased greenhouse gases)
Kyoto Protocol (1997, requiring developed countries to reduce emissions)
Paris Agreement (2015, with all parties participating and each country submitting targets)
Renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass)
Carbon neutrality (balancing CO2 emissions and absorption to achieve net zero)
3R (Reduce・Reuse・Recycle = the three Rs of a circular society)
In Depth (Background and Significance)
Japan's energy policy reached a major turning point after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Nuclear power produces little CO2, but it poses the problems of accident risks and radioactive waste.
Japan has declared that it will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Renewable energy has challenges involving stable supply and cost, but it is expanding rapidly. Efforts related to the 3Rs are also being promoted based on the Basic Act for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (2000). Environmental problems cannot be separated from the economy and society and are central issues of the SDGs.
- Main cause of global warming = greenhouse gases (especially CO2)
- 1992 Earth Summit = sustainable development
- 1997 Kyoto Protocol = reduction obligations for developed countries
- 2015 Paris Agreement = participation by all parties
- 3R = Reduce・Reuse・Recycle
- Carbon neutrality by 2050 (Japan)
- Renewable energy = solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① Distinguish the Kyoto Protocol (1997, developed countries only) from the Paris Agreement (2015, all parties). ② Global warming (greenhouse gases) and ozone-layer destruction (CFCs) are different problems. ③ The 3Rs are important in the order Reduce → Reuse → Recycle. ④ Renewable energy does not run out; nuclear power is not included.
Practice
- What international agreement addressing global warming was adopted in 2015?
- Give all three Rs in English.
- By what year does Japan aim to achieve carbon neutrality?