Envoronmental Issues
Ashley Paterson
Global Environmental Initiaves
Global Media reflects the global market and economy; media sources focus on current events and international issues. In a decade filled with environmental concerns such as global warming, energy consumption, pollution, and acid rain, these topics are becoming more apparent in household conversations and international debates. Japan has one of the two highest percentages of recycling industries and has created some solutions to help target environmental concerns. Based on the United States Census International Program, Japan has a population of approximately 127,463,610 in 2006, which is close to half of the United States in areas which are more compact. Due to the close proximities and high numbers of residents, Japan has been forced to become very innovative with transportation and consumption of natural resources.
Environmental pollution problems had already emerged in Japan in the late 19th century and early 20th century with cases of damage to agricultural products by mining waste and some other irregular air pollution cases. By the 60s, Japan was in serious need of solutions, the economy was seeing high growth levels and making record-breaking profits for the nation. In comparison to such positive effects, the economy was becoming reliant on the extraction of natural resources, energy and chemical consumption.
Pollution was inundating the surrounding areas in smoke and waste, leading to health problems and environmental deterioration. In order to reduce the amount of waste being pushed into the atmosphere, new sustainable technologies were created to help maximize production while reducing waste and pollution.
Emission standards were introduced for large corporations and businesses, creating a strict regimen of available energy usage. If corporations over-consume or are caught using unsustainable methods, executives face imprisonment with hard labor not exceeding one year or a fine which cannot exceed one million yen.
Japan is often referred to as technologically advanced. Some of the biggest brand names to enter North America are based in Japan: Mitsubishi Electric, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan among others. The laws concerning the rational use of energy are directed towards the heavy industrial areas; the purpose is to help create sound development practices for the national economy by setting measurable targets of energy usage and conservation.
The promotion of effective usage of energy is to meet economic and environmental targets both at home and overseas. The purpose of this law is to protect the consumer of electricity and to create sound development of electricity supplies while contributing to environmental preservation using technological advancements.
Global warming has become a common challenge for all human beings to help alleviate the problem by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the environment. Establishing basic policies to help eradicate the levels of toxins contributing to the problem requires a set of responsibilities towards the central and local governments and on the citizens themselves.
The government's responsibilities required the promotion of emission-friendly campaigns in addition to monitoring and observing the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gasses. The citizens were required to participate in and help accommodate any promotion regarding the issue of global warming in addition to becoming more educated on the long term effects and arising problems if global warming is not reduced significantly.
Some of the steps that have been taken to reduce global warming were through the reduction of vehicles on the roads. The creation of a transit system allowed people to move faster from one place to the next. The bullet train--one of Japan's most used traveling methods--runs throughout the country, creating convenience for those who use it and reducing the amount of emissions per person.
Environmental Technology
Roughly four years ago, Toyota delivered its first two market-ready hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to the United States. This official delivery was the first step in a plan to establish California fuel-cell "community" partnerships with the government, business, and higher education that will tackle product, infrastructure and consumer education.
Toyota's 100-percent proprietary fuel-cell development program began in 1992. The National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC) will now have a fleet of fuel-cell vehicles to address the three key challenges that must be met before zero-emission fuel-cell vehicles can be brought to market in volume. Since the arrival of hybrid cars to the North American market from Japan, Toyota has produced a total of three different zero-emission fuel-cell vehicles: the Camry, Highlander, and the Prius.
Improvements to Japanese environmental standards are not only reflected in their motorized products but also in the way they build their communities. Communities often have a large green area where development is blocked in order to keep some of the natural appeal of nature. This also creates an area where individuals can have picnics and gatherings. Japanese real estate is extremely expensive, creating a desire for smaller houses and housing units than in North America with little or no yard space. The allotted green areas allow individuals to enjoy the environment while using land space more efficiently.
In addition to using land spaces efficiently and affectively for the high number of residents, recycling standards are in effect. Japan only imports around .74% of their pollution prevention equipment and services; the rest are created internally. The commitments made in the Rio Summit of 1992 by Japan tightened and regulated the market for environmental products. One of the key factors to the adoption of regulations was the ISO 1400: an environmental policy which must be defined by an organization management staff and CEO. The report must include commitment, compliance, and prevention methods for reducing pollution.
Sources:
Appalchian Regional Commission. http://www.arc.gov
Envirnonment Health and safety Online. http://www.ehso.com
Japan. Encarta. http://ca.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566679/Japan.html
Japan's Environmental Laws. http://www.japanfs.org/en/japan/laws.html
Toyota. http://www.toyota.com