Global Environment Note #02
“Note on Global Environment from Hokkaido” is a special series that will send you a report of Environment of the world, Japan and Hokkaido NOW, and give you hints to begin Eco-friendly life Now, to reduce the GHG (Green House Gas) by 6%, in order to avoid the global warming.The key for the second series is "20 ℃"
In order to prevent global warming, the Ministry of the Environment is promoting “20 ℃” as the ideal room temperature to be kept in an office. Compared to other parts in Japan, the period requiring heating lasts longer in Hokkaido, due to its long and harsh winter. Therefore, the amount of CO2 emission in Hokkaido is 1.3 times that of the national average. Taking account of such facts, people in Hokkaido are encouraged to think together the way to spend winter warmly and happily without heavy dependence on heating devices.What is Warm Biz?
A fashion to reduce dependence on heaters
Recently, we frequently hear the word “Warm Biz”. The word was made from the English words “warm” and “business”. Under the Warm Biz campaign, office workers are encouraged to wear clothes which are warm, stylish, and easy to work in so that they depend less on heaters during winter. Energy conservation in winter plays an important role in preventing global warming, as we tend to use more energy than usual due to heating. Warm Biz is an attempt to prevent global warming by reconsidering the everyday office wear.Set the heaters 1 ℃ below usual
In order to promote the Warm Biz campaign, the Ministry of the Environment is encouraging to set the room temperature in an office at 20 ℃. In addition, Hokkaido has originally developed the “Hokkaido Warm Biz Project” since 2006. Having 1.3 times higher amount of CO2 emission than the national average, Hokkaido is advising each household to adjust the heating temperature 1 ℃ below the usual set degree.How much CO2 can be reduced by decreasing the heating temperature?
A heating system is more significant than air conditioning in reducing CO2
Because of the long and cold winter in Hokkaido, the period requiring a heating system lasts long, and the difference between room temperature and outside temperature reaches its maximum in winter. As the temperature difference increases, the energy consumption increases, too. There is little need for the use of air conditioning in Hokkaido; therefore, the control of heating temperature becomes a key for reducing the CO2 emission.Ｒeduce CO2 by saving energy and resource in your daily life
By putting into practice the plan “to set the heating temperature 1 ℃ below usual” under the Hokkaido Warm Biz Project, about 88 kg of CO2 can be reduced per household per year. If every household in Hokkaido implements this plan, a total of 210 thousand tons of CO2 can be reduced.? The amount is equivalent to 1% of the total CO2 emitted in the prefecture. Considering that Hokkaido has a population of about 5.6 million people, the amount of CO2 reduction per person can be calculated as 37.5 kg per year, and 103 g per day.
What is the Warm Biz lifestyle like?
Winter in Hokkaido is warmer than other parts of Japan!
Compared to other parts of Japan, Hokkaido has the longest and the coldest winter. However, with the improved heating system and the insulation in a house, the temperature inside the room is said to be warmer in Hokkaido than in other parts of Japan. Nowadays, it is a common story to see a person enjoying a cold beer or ice-cream in a comfortably heated room… a lifestyle not highly recommended considering about the global warming.
Hints on food, clothing, shelter, and play.
In order to reduce the CO2 emission, it is necessary to conserve energy in everyday life. You can play parts in the Warm Biz by wearing extra layers of clothing instead of increasing the temperature of heaters. There are also many other ideas that can help reduce the use of heaters, such as having a hot-pot for dinner with your family. Let us think together the ways to prevent global warming by contriving the aspects of our daily lives, including food, clothing, shelter, and play.
The Warm Biz lifestyle can save money!
What happens to the price of kerosene?
The Warm Biz lifestyle is not only environment-friendly, but can also bring economical benefit to a household by reducing the expenses for light and fuel. For example, by reducing the temperature of kerosene stove by 1 ℃, the amount of kerosene used in a household per year decreases about 130 L, which saves nearly 11000 yen!
(Kerosene/ L = 81.6 yen 2007/9/10 北海道環境生活部 )A small effort can help conserve energy.
Tips on how to conserve energy lie in small efforts. As warm air tends to escape from the window, it is important to close the curtains tight at night. Also, it is effective to turn off the stove 10 to 20 minutes before going outside or going to sleep. In a well-insulated house, the room temperature would be kept warm for a while even after you turn off the heater.