Solutions for visualizing, understanding, and streamlining carbon emissions from various angles, such as business sites and products, corporate activities, and consumer behavior.
Efforts to conserve energy have been underway for several decades, but in recent years, the methods used have become more sophisticated, including AI and other technologies and billing methods based on usage. These solutions optimize energy usage.
Solutions related to batteries and hydrogen, such as electrification (EV) of mobility (means of transportation) such as cars and buses, which used to be fueled by gasoline, to reduce CO2 emissions, and to extract hydrogen for industrial use and to encourage its practical application.
Solutions related to batteries and hydrogen, such as electrification (EV) of mobility (means of transportation) such as cars and buses, which used to be fueled by gasoline, to reduce CO2 emissions, and to extract hydrogen for industrial use and to encourage its practical application.
Solutions that contribute to the fixation and absorption of CO2 in the atmosphere through forest protection and forest management, and offset the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that cannot be fully reduced through the purchase of carbon credits.
One solution is to reduce emissions in society as a whole by recycling metals, plastics, and other resources and products at various stages of economic activities.
What Is Global Warming? Causes, Effects & Solutions
Global warming is raising the average temperature of the entire world, and there is a danger that it will have a significant impact on our lives, including changes in ecosystems, abnormal weather, the spread of infectious diseases, and damage to agricultural and fishery products.
This article will summarize in detail what global warming is, the causes and mechanisms of global warming, and countermeasures.
What is Global Warming? An easy-to-understand explanation of the causes and mechanisms!
Global warming is a phenomenon in which the long-term average global temperature increases. Global warming is causing rising sea levels, changes in precipitation, frequent extreme weather events, and the expansion of deserts.
The main cause of global warming is atmospheric greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).
Major Causes and Mechanisms of Global Warming
Here are a few more details about the main causes of global warming.
The main cause of global warming is the increase in greenhouse gases emitted by industrial activities. The earth absorbs and emits energy radiated from the sun. Some of the energy emitted from the earth's surface is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and stays in the atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise. This is called the greenhouse effect, and the gases that cause the greenhouse effect are called greenhouse gases.
Typical greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), CFCs, and nitrous oxide (N2O).
When fossil fuels such as oil and coal are burned for power generation and automobiles, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are produced. In addition, recent deforestation has reduced the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by trees, which is also a contributing factor to global warming.
Current Status of Global Warming
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the 2014 IPCC Fifth Assessment Report shows clear anthropogenic impacts on climate change and significant global warming since the Industrial Revolution.
The IPCC 6th Assessment Report, published in 2022, identified a wide range of risks, taking into account not only risks to climate change and ecosystems, but also policy, economic, and cultural impacts. The results suggested that the adverse effects of climate change are already manifesting themselves in a wide range of areas, affecting ecosystems and humans.
The 2015 Paris Agreement set a long-term goal of "limiting temperature increase to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing a temperature increase of less than 1.5 degrees Celsius," but the Sixth Report concluded that "even if we limit the temperature increase to around 1.5 degrees, we cannot eliminate all climate change-related losses.
In addition, the Sixth Report also sounds the alarm that ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions will make it very difficult to achieve the "less than 1.5 degrees Celsius" goal if the current trend continues.
Trends and breakdown of greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 (Source: IPCC)
Impact of Global Warming on the Environment
There is concern about the various effects of global warming.
sea level rise
As temperatures rise, sea level rises due to the expansion of seawater and the melting of glaciers in cold regions.
Rising sea levels can submerge low-altitude coastal areas and islands, resulting in the loss of land and storm surge damage.
Ecosystem Change
Plants and animals live in areas that are suitable for their respective species. As temperatures rise due to global warming, some plants and animals may not be able to adapt to the environment and may become extinct.
Climate change, increased disasters
Global warming is causing droughts and desertification in arid regions. Forest fires will increase in such areas, further accelerating global warming.
Conversely, an increase in the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere will increase precipitation throughout the world. This may lead to an increase in heavy rainfall and flood damage.
Damage to crops and livestock industry
As areas suitable for plant and animal habitat change, so do the agricultural and livestock industries. Crops can no longer be grown in areas where they used to be grown, and the crops that should be grown in each area will change.
In addition, increased disasters such as typhoons and floods will make it more difficult to grow crops, and there is a risk that food shortages will become more severe.
When crops cannot be grown, livestock will also be affected. Ecosystem changes may cause different kinds of pests and vermin damage.
Effects on the human body
Ecosystem changes due to global warming could also lead to the spread of infectious diseases.
Impact on Japan
Various effects are also feared in Japan. According to the JMA's "Long-Term Trend of Sea Level Change along the Japanese Coast," sea level has already risen 3.3 mm per year, and for example, if the water level continues to rise and the sea level rises 1 m, it is predicted that more than 90% of Japan's sandy beaches will be lost.
In addition, there is concern that Japan, which is prone to tsunamis and typhoons, will suffer even greater damage as a result of more abnormal weather.
Future Initiatives for Global Warming
Various efforts are being made around the world to prevent global warming, which affects various environments.
In 1994, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was issued. Also known as the Convention for the Prevention of Global Warming, it obliges participating countries to promote the implementation of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement are international frameworks on climate change, and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol set targets for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over a period of time relative to 1990 levels.
Against this background, global warming countermeasures are being promoted worldwide. Major global warming countermeasures include energy conservation measures, introduction of renewable energy, utilization of hydrogen, introduction of EV/FCV, and CCS (carbon capture and storage).
Energy conservation measures
These are measures to reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuels by, for example, reducing the amount of electricity used. Government-led energy conservation measures include, for example, "mandatory adaptation of energy conservation standards for new buildings," which mandates the installation of high-efficiency lighting such as LEDs in newly constructed buildings. The government is also promoting the improvement of energy-saving performance of equipment through the "Top Runner Program.
renewable energy
The Ministry of the Environment is promoting the introduction of renewable energies such as solar power generation to public facilities, based on the Global Warming Plan and the Basic Energy Plan, in order to expand the introduction of renewable energies. The Ministry is also working to promote the introduction of solar power generation for private companies to consume on their own.
In addition, we are developing various support measures through regional decarbonization roadmaps in order to encourage local governments to take measures to combat global warming.
Hydrogen Utilization
Hydrogen, which emits no CO2 when used, is expected to be utilized as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels, such as automobile fuel.
Although hydrogen energy has not yet been commercialized, society as a whole is currently working to establish a hydrogen supply chain that includes hydrogen production, storage, and transportation.
EV/FCV introduction
The goal is to increase the percentage of next-generation vehicles (EVs, FCVs, etc.) in new car sales to 50-70% by 2030 in order to promote EVs and FCVs (Fuel Cell Vehicles).
CCS is a technology for capturing CO2 emitted from industrial activities and storing it underground, and is attracting attention as a technology for curbing global warming. Currently, the Ministry of the Environment is conducting demonstration tests for practical application.
What We Can Do to Prevent Global Warming
According to the National Center for Climate Change Actions, of the total domestic emissions of carbon dioxide (1.044 billion tons), 15.9% came from households, 34% from the industrial sector, 17.7% from the transportation sector, 17.4% from commerce and other sectors, 7.5% from energy conversion, and 7.1% from industrial processes and waste emissions.
According to the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Office of Japan''s "CO2 Emissions from Households in FY2020 (Breakdown by Use)," 32.4% comes from lighting and appliances, 22.7% from automobiles, 15.9% from heating, and 15% from hot water heating.
In addition to contributing to environmental issues through eco-driving and saving electricity at home, we as individuals are encouraged to select and purchase eco-friendly products and support the environmental activities of companies.
Global warming is causing a rise in the average temperature of the earth's surface, and there is a danger that this will cause serious damage to our lives.
