Global Environment Note #11
“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.Let’s learn before G8 summit!
Here are some environmentally friendly, save-energy terms.
【Keep this copy with you!】
Finally, Hokkaido Toyako summit focusing on environmental issues is about to start on July 7th. Various news are being broadcasted on papers and TV programs, but you might sometimes come across with unknown words, which hinders your understanding.
Here I introduce you some useful environmental terms. I hope it helps!
【Global warming】
The earth is being heated by the sun, and some heat is being released into the space. Gases such as CO2 and methane are called green house gases, and they inhibit the heat being released to the space. If it were not for these green house gases, the earth would have been too cold for us to live. Conversely, if these gases present in excess in the atmosphere, heat cannot escape to the space and the Earth gets hotter – this is global warming.
【Green house gas】
The gases which can trap the head from the sun and make the Earth’s surface warmer. In Kyoto protocol, green house gases to be reduced consist of CO2, methane, N2O,HFCs, PFCs and SF6.
【Ozone layer】
The layer of ozone gas that exists 10-50km high in the sky. It absorbs most of the harmful UV radiations from the sun and protects the living organisms on the Earth. Man-made CFCs destroy this ozone layer.
【Acid rain】
Exhaust gas from vehicles or pollutants from factories dissolve in the rain cloud and make the rain acidic. It can kill trees and dissolve marble stones in cultural assets.
【Heat Island phenomenon】
The center of a large city being much hotter than the surrounding area, as though it is an island. It is due to the extensively heated concrete buildings and asphalt roads from the solar radiation, as well as the heat emitted from cars and air conditioners.
【IPCC】
An organization born in 1988 in order to make scientific evaluation on global warming. More than 4,000 scientist from 130 countries take part and publish an evaluation report every 5 years or so. It is considered to be the most authorized organization in scientific research on global warming, and it received the Novel Prize in 2007.
【Kyoto Protocol】
An international protocol that sets the reduction goals of greenhouse gases for developed nations. It was named after the international conference in1997 in Kyoto, where this protocol was approved. In this protocol, Japan promises to reduce the emission of the greenhouse gas by 6% compared to 1990, between 2008 and 2012.
【Team minus 6%】
A national movement in Japan, which aims to achieve the 6% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as Japan promised in Kyoto Protocol. They also suggest some ways to reduce 1 kg of CO2 emission per person in our daily life. You are welcome to join at: http://www.team-6.jp/
【Warm buiss, Cool buiss】
A solution to the global warming proposed by the Ministry of Environment in Japan. Warm buiss refers to the business wear in which people feel comfortable in the room heated to 20℃, and Cool buiss refers to the style in which people are cool enough under the room temperature of 28℃.
【Eco drive】
How to drive a car in environmentally friendly way. You can reduce your petrol consumption and CO2 emission by pressing down the accelerator softly, or by stopping idling.
【Eco-mark】
A mark that tells that the product is environmentally friendly. The products carrying this mark is checked and approved by Japan Environment Association.
【Green purchase】
To choose the products that cause less damage to the environment, rather than choosing from the price and/or the quality.
【３R】
The concept in which ‘wastes’ can be treated as valuable resources.
・Reduce
・Reuse
・Recycle
【Food mileage】
The distance for which the food is carried. The larger the distance from the producer to the table, the more petrol is consumed and the more CO2 is emitted, so the countries with greater food mileage cause greater damage to the environment. Japan relies on imported food, and is considered to be one of the most damaging nations.
【Fossil fuels】
The fuels produced from biological activities in the past, such as oil, coal and natural gas. These fuels have limited supply, and produce CO2 when burnt, so the realization of fossil fuel-free society is a pressing need.
【Regeneratable energy】
The energy captured from the continuous, natural phenomena, as opposed to the consumable oil, coal and uranium. Regeneratable energy includes solar, wind, thermal energy and also dam-less hydraulic power plant and biomass.
【Biomass energy】
Energy captured from timber, garbage, animal manure etc. These produce CO2 when burnt, but as the plants absorb CO2 in their growth stage, they are considered to be carbon neutral.
【Co-generation】
To utilize not only the electricity produces at the plant but also the excess heat, in operating air conditioner, hot water supply etc. This system can save energy and reduce CO2 emission, so it is being spread to factories, offices and houses.
【Green electricity】
Electricity generated from regeneratable energy, such as wind energy, solar energy and biomass.
【Standby power consumption】
The electricity consumed for the digital displays or built-in clocks when electric appliances are not in use. You can save this electricity by turning off the main power instead of using the remote controller, or pulling out the plug.
【Carbon off-set】
A system that a nation can compensate excess CO2 emission with reforestation or use of natural energy. This is a popular idea in European countries, and now beginning in Japan.
【Low-carbon society】
The idea of society in which humans produce greenhouse gases only as much as the nature can absorb. To this end, it is required that people reduce CO2 emissions, cultivate the philosophy of “mottainai”, and develop forests that work as carbon sink.
【Post-Kyoto】
The framework of greenhouse gas reduction to come in or after 2013, once the first commitment period (2008～2012) is over. Japan has proposed that the global carbon emissions should be reduced by half from the present situation. In Hokkaido Toyako summit, in which the mitigation of global warming is a main focus, discussions should take place based on this proposal.
Reviewed by Yugo ONO (Professor, Graduate School of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University): References:websites of Ministry of Environment, (Foundation) Environmental information prevalence center, National center to stop global warming, etc.