Japan eyes reduced emission cut target

Politics Dec. 06, 2012 - 06:47AM JST ( 33 )

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33 Comments

-1

RogerrabbittDec. 06, 2012 - 08:58AM JST

Japan needs to take a more pro active approach instead of whining about the loss of Nuclear power stations....build more wind power...solar panel fields...and hydro...where theres a way theres a will. Problem is, no will.
-3

YuriOtaniDec. 06, 2012 - 09:09AM JST

with the Atomic plants offline it is not possible. Though increasing electric rates 2 or 3 times should really lower demand.
-5

Thomas AndersonDec. 06, 2012 - 09:50AM JST

with the Atomic plants offline it is not possible. Though increasing electric rates 2 or 3 times should really lower demand.

Germany has shut down nuclear plants, increased renewables and successfully reduced CO2 emissions. Oh, and they've boosted to economy to boot.
-2

SamuraiBlueDec. 06, 2012 - 11:14AM JST

Japan the third larget economy only accountable for 4% of global CO2 emmissions while the top two emmits approx. 40% of the global emission.

As for Japan Germany comparison in population in relationship with CO2 emmissions equates to about the same where Japan's Population is 1.5 times that of Germany and her emmission is at par so the emmission per person in Japan Germany comparison is the same.
-3

globalwatcherDec. 06, 2012 - 12:27PM JST

Why Japan is taking this too long? Our city concil and voters shut down a nuke energy plant and oil fracking projects completely for the green energy. Now we are already building tons of solar and wind mills every month. Again, why can't you move forward?
-1

globalwatcherDec. 06, 2012 - 12:56PM JST

YuriOtaniDec. 06, 2012 - 09:09AM JST

with the Atomic plants offline it is not possible.

It takes time to change it to best alternative energy mix. It can be done. They are not tapping all resources available around them. They are not strived hard enough in "dekinai" culture of Japan.
-4

Kent McgrawDec. 06, 2012 - 01:07PM JST

The green house emissions hoax. Tell a lie often enough and people believe it.
-1

globalwatcherDec. 06, 2012 - 01:14PM JST

Kent McgrawDec. 06, 2012 - 01:07PM JST

The green house emissions hoax. Tell a lie often enough and people believe it.

It is not a lie. Our utility has already given us a choice. It is real. I pay a little more for wind mill energy just like some support Starbucks for their social concience.
0

ebisenDec. 06, 2012 - 01:52PM JST

Thomas - inform yourself first. Germany could do thins only because it is a continental country, able to import A LOT of nuclear energy from the very nuclear France, with some plants just across the border. Comparing this with Japan's geopolitical situation shows lack of knowledge.
1

JaneMDec. 06, 2012 - 02:03PM JST

Japan needs to take a more pro active approach instead of whining about the loss of Nuclear power stations

Stating the facts is different from whining. And it seems that "where there is a will, there is a way" rather than the other way around :-)
0

Thomas AndersonDec. 06, 2012 - 02:56PM JST

Thomas - inform yourself first. Germany could do thins only because it is a continental country, able to import A LOT of nuclear energy from the very nuclear France, with some plants just across the border. Comparing this with Japan's geopolitical situation shows lack of knowledge.

Here we go again with the usual nuclear propaganda - Germany is a net EXPORTER of electricity, not importer. Germany saved France during shortages in winter. So YOU inform yourself first, thanks.
4

Thomas AndersonDec. 06, 2012 - 03:06PM JST

It's really rather sad how easily the Japanese people are lead into believing that "Germany imports nuclear electricity from France, blah blah blah" propaganda by the pro-nuclear factions.

All Japan has to do is install more renewables, just like the Germany has done, and it'll reduce CO2 emissions. How can it not? Renewables don't release CO2 emissions. As for "Japan can't do it blah blah blah", last time I checked there are only 2 nuclear plants running, and Japan is not running out of electricity.
-5

Hide SuzukiDec. 06, 2012 - 03:11PM JST

@Thomas Anderson

"Oh, and they've boosted to economy to boot.."

Oh, yeah, the economy in Europe is great, oh wait...
0

Thomas AndersonDec. 06, 2012 - 03:14PM JST

Oh, yeah, the economy in Europe is great, oh wait...

Oh Germany is not entire Europe.
-3
Hide SuzukiDec. 06, 2012 - 03:59PM JST

@Thomas Anderson

GDP in Germany grew less than 1% in the last 6 months. You call that "economy boost" ?
- ModeratorDec. 06, 2012 - 04:00PM JST
  
  Back on topic please.
2

ifd66Dec. 06, 2012 - 08:10PM JST

Can't believe the negative votes give to the sensible comments by Rogerrabbit, Thomas etc. Since 1990 global emissions have increased by over 58% when its generally accepted that to stand any chance of avoiding warming of over the 2 degrees 'safety' limit, emissions need to FALL by 80%. Japan should get real and instigate some serious policies that genuinely lead to emission cuts. As for growth or not, it's shortsighted not to see that not doing anything effective now while there still might be time, will be far cheaper than action that's too little too late. BTW, GDP as any educated person should know is not an effective measure of development or quality of life - again governments need to instigate real policies for the genuine benefit of society, and not only on increasing GDP for the sake of blindly keeping up with the Joneses.
1

FadamorDec. 06, 2012 - 10:07PM JST

Of the Top 10 countries in CO2 emissions, Only the U.S. and Germany reduced their output last year (The U.S. -2%, Germany -4%). Japan's increase (+0.4%) was expected given that they had to fire up more fossil fuel electric generators. China's increased by 10%.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/study-carbon-dioxide-emissions-worldwide-up-again-2-degree-limit-to-global-warming-unlikely/2012/12/02/8658886e-3caa-11e2-8a5c-473797be602c_story.html
-1

warispeaceDec. 06, 2012 - 11:48PM JST

It's clear from the science that only a self-induced depression by all the major greenhouse gas emitting nations is going to save a good portion of humanity and other species in the coming decades. This isn't likely to happen in a greed based economy, so we should all expect the worst. There is no technological fix. Only radically changed human behavior will be effective and it have started yesterday, not in a few years.

As for Japan, the nuclear village was all in favor of the Kyoto Protocol because it was their excuse to build more nuclear power plants. Now that this option is off the table, we see lots of excuses for why Japan can't keep its promise to reduce emissions. If the authorities had read the writing and gone aggressively for renewable and sustainable energy back in the 1990, they wouldn't have to be backtracking now.

Here is a report out by the World Bank, a very neo-liberal organization which has always trumpeted the so-called free-market economic growth model. If even this organization says it's really serious, it is.

http://climatechange.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/Turn_Down_the_heat_Why_a_4_degree_centrigrade_warmer_world_must_be_avoided.pdf
-4

warispeaceDec. 06, 2012 - 11:53PM JST

@Kent Mcgraw

The green house emissions hoax. Tell a lie often enough and people believe it.

Indeed, call something a hoax long enough and some people will believe that, too. Galileo was also a great haoxster, I guess.
0

FadamorDec. 07, 2012 - 12:05AM JST

I think the most atonishing number is this:

The total amounts to more than 2.4 million pounds (1.1 million kilograms) of carbon dioxide released into the air every second.

Worldwide, we're dumping over a million kilograms of CO2 into the air every second, and the majority of that CO2 stays in the atmosphere for about 100 years.

"Back in the day" our forests took on the job of converting the atmosphere's CO2 into O2 through photosynthesis, but every year we cut down more of the world's forests to clear land for farming. Since the industrial revolution in the 1800's our share of CO2 generation has gone way beyond what we previously created by burning wood in fireplaces/stoves and exhaling breath. We've exponentially increased our CO2 generation while steadily eliminating the planet's ability to counter the increase. I fear we've already reached the point of no return.
0

basroilDec. 07, 2012 - 12:17AM JST

RogerrabbittDec. 06, 2012 - 08:58AM JST

Japan needs to take a more pro active approach instead of whining about the loss of Nuclear power stations....build more wind power...solar panel fields...and hydro...where theres a way theres a will. Problem is, no will.

Lets see, it takes almost 13 years for Solar to be carbon neutral, and takes nuclear just 2-3. Hydro depends on the size of the dam barrier and how many trees were destroyed from flooding, but usually similar to nuclear (less steel production needed, but Japan can't make too many more dams without sacrificing safety). Wind needs somewhere between solar and nuclear in terms of aluminum and copper costs, if in a high category wind site (of which japan has next to none).

Japan CANNOT achieve 1990 levels without nuclear energy with current technology, but if nuclear energy is used and even just commercial transportation goes electric, it might be able to meat the promise within a decade.
1

basroilDec. 07, 2012 - 12:34AM JST

Thomas AndersonDec. 06, 2012 - 03:06PM JST

It's really rather sad how easily the Japanese people are lead into believing that "Germany imports nuclear electricity from France, blah blah blah" propaganda by the pro-nuclear factions.

Well, France is the world leader in energy export, 48TWh a year, and it's mainly Italy that gets the imported nuclear sourced energy, with Spain a second consumer. Your statement is correct that Germany doesn't import much from France, but they other guys are right about France exporting so much energy with almost no CO2 cost thanks to nuclear.

In fact, if you look at the kyoto protocol updates, the only major countries to hit 1990 goals or better are those with nuclear power.
0

nigelboyDec. 07, 2012 - 01:02AM JST

It's really rather sad how easily the Japanese people are lead into believing that "Germany imports nuclear electricity from France, blah blah blah" propaganda by the pro-nuclear factions.

You don't have to be pro-nuclear to come up with this. Though Germany is a net exporter in total, their electricity trade balance with France is completely the opposite. (Czech, also)

The limits of renewables are that it's supplies are volatile and as if often the case, does not match with the peak demand at times. Therefore, without the ability to procure a constant source (i.e. nuclear or imports from constant source like France), copying the Germany model to an island nation like Japan is just not feasible.
-1

globalwatcherDec. 07, 2012 - 05:05AM JST

Well JT convinced me that Japan has no strong WILL to change.

I live in one of the most beautiful state of US and we want to protect this beautiful resources. We deliver clean water to the East and the West. Air is crisp clean, and the weather is relatively dry and mild. This is a dream spot for many Americans. Because of this, we are strongly committed for environment. We voted down two winter olympics in the past. We do not want them. We want to do everything right for the next generations so that they can sustain and survive. Our coal reserve my state alone can heat whole US for another 300 years..We have enough oil reserves for us. But we have voted down all these choices including NUKE. We want to build more wind mills and solar panels substituting income for farmers. Many high tech skilled engineers are moving into our state because we are doing all and we are very progressive. We are 10 years ahead of everyone else for environment. I am very proud of that.
0

vollandDec. 07, 2012 - 06:37AM JST

I read my newspapers in the internet every morning, because I know that having a good laugh in the early hours is supposed to be very halthy. I like this article. Because if you check the Japan Times you will find this:

Carbon emissions up 3.9% amid reactor halt http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121207n1.html
0

globalwatcherDec. 07, 2012 - 06:38AM JST

LOL, I have already got negative feedbacks. Bhahaha. I am in the state leading the whole US on alternative energy. We make a councious choice in life. Everyone here came here for one good reason; a quality of life. We are in "can do" attitude and culture. It does not just happen, we work very hard to make it happen, and it WILL.
-1

globalwatcherDec. 07, 2012 - 06:57AM JST

Carbon emissions up 3.9% amid reactor halt http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121207n1.html

volland, I have read that. And there are many more articles written in global websites on this issue. It takes many strong community leaders, talents and voters WILL to make it happen. Thank God, I see all these good mix for my place to change while Japanese just talk like blah, blah, blah and nothing move forward, We just do it.

We will release our carbon emission reduction official data in couple of months, and we expect the result should be good.
0

mikihouseDec. 07, 2012 - 07:12AM JST

there is no need to rein carbon emission...there was never a plan to reign this emission, it was actually asking the companies and factories to pay for carbon credits whics means money.

I use my carbon credits. I still emit carbon but I feel better because I paid money to a phony organization not only 20 years ago were saying that the world is coming to another ice age.

But yeah puny little humans think they control the universe. if you study science, with or without human intervention, the world went to cycles of ice age and global warming. But lets not spoil the party.
-3

basroilDec. 07, 2012 - 11:51AM JST

globalwatcherDec. 07, 2012 - 06:57AM JST

We will release our carbon emission reduction official data in couple of months, and we expect the result should be good.

Release the figures including CO2 emissions in the construction and manufacturing of the panels/windmills and you'll see it's almost as bad as 100% old coal (not even "clean" coal). Solar panel manufacturing is one of the dirtiest manufacturing systems around, putting off three years worth of CO2 in terms of electricity used alone, adding in mining of silicon, refining, aluminum production, copper, etc, it's not positive at all when you get less than 10 years on average in places with strong winds, snow, hail, etc.
1

SamuraiBlueDec. 07, 2012 - 08:14PM JST

basroil

Computer chips and solar pannels are basically made of the same thing, silicon wafers. If solar pannels are bad then all PC, mobile phones, etc. are worse since at least Solar pannels generates electricity after it is delivered while the other silicon chips just use more.
-2

basroilDec. 08, 2012 - 03:21PM JST

SamuraiBlueDec. 07, 2012 - 08:14PM JST

Computer chips and solar pannels are basically made of the same thing, silicon wafers. If solar pannels are bad then all PC, mobile phones, etc. are worse since at least Solar pannels generates electricity after it is delivered while the other silicon chips just use more.

Yes, PC chips are made of silicon as well. But for every square meter of wafer produced, you have thousands upon thousands of chips, yet less than a standard size power production panel (usually 1.5SQ m). 1SQ meter of solar panel will only make about 3-5 times the amount used to manufacture it, compared to several dozen times for practically every other system. In terms of CO2, it's likely net negative, unless you have absolute certainty that the panels will last longer than 13 years (very rare for places like Japan with high rainfall and strong winds).

To replace all the energy production with wind, solar, and hydro by 2020 would require not only many times the GDP, but also means completely ignoring the 2020 deadline. You would need double this year's energy simply to produce a third of the needs, so that's a 200% spike (or 10%+ every year). Hardly possibly to reduce CO2 when you're making much more of it.
-2

realistDec. 12, 2012 - 02:15AM JST

I see no provlem with Japan's position, since anthropogenic global warming is a myth, anyway. There has been no global warmjng since 1997, rather global cooling, and climate change is a natural thing, nothing whatsoever to do with the activities of mankind, puny human beings can do nothing to change or influence nature. Lets all burn more Co2! The planet needs more of it, not less. There are plenty of good fossil fuels out there which should be used instead of nuclear power, which has failed, and wind power, which is useless. Another failure at Doha to add to the long list of failures. People are wising up to the lies the climate scientists and their politician friends are spinning, no more carbon taxes and end the nonsense now.