Measures against global warming learned from Germany February 24, 13:34

The rise in global temperature will not be stopped.

Let's think about what we can do to combat global warming.

Challenge the problem!

Problem The

Paris Agreement differs significantly from the Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted in 1997 to combat global warming.

Please answer what the difference is.

(Kyoritsu Girls' Junior High School 2020 renamed)

Regarding global warming, it is often asked in entrance examination questions.

You've probably heard of both the "Paris Agreement" and the "Kyoto Protocol," but do you know what's different?

The answer is…

"The Paris Agreement requires all countries, including developed and developing countries, to submit goals to reduce greenhouse gases."

In other words, the Kyoto Protocol requires only developed countries to reduce emissions, but the Paris Agreement requires all countries, including developing countries, to set reduction targets and take measures.

Let us look for hints on how to tackle it from the awareness of German citizens, who are said to be environmentally advanced countries.

Germany, an environmentally advanced country

Germany is aggressive in reducing greenhouse gases.

We are proceeding with the conversion to renewable energy, which exceeds 40% of the total power consumption.

Chancellor Merkel

"Looking at the many young people around the world, we need to take action for their future."

The government is taking large-scale measures against global warming, such as raising fares for planes that emit high amounts of carbon dioxide and lowering long-distance rail fares.

Toru Kumagai, a journalist living in Germany, points out that it is the high awareness of German citizens to support this.

Why do Germans take such a high priority on environmental issues?

Mr. Kumagai

"Since I was a child, it has been customary for Germans to take a walk in the forest with their families on Saturdays and Sundays. Even in big cities, when you step outside, there is a forest right away. That's why nature I'm very sensitive to the destruction of the environment. "

Every time I experienced an event that destroyed the environment, my consciousness increased.

Acid rain that killed trees in the forests of southwestern Germany.

In the former Soviet Union's Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, radioactive materials spread across the border to Germany, contaminating animals, plants and soil.

For this reason, Mr. Kumagai says that the consciousness of thinking about environmental issues from a broad perspective, including neighboring countries, has taken root.

Some sites "see" emissions

Mr. Kumagai introduced us to an initiative that is widespread among German citizens.

A site published by the German Federal Environmental Foundation that allows you to calculate carbon dioxide emissions.

Is fossil fuel or renewable energy used for heating?

Enter data such as whether you have a car.

This will calculate the amount of carbon dioxide you emit in a year and compare it to the average for German citizens.

Mr. Kumagai's emissions are about 15 tons per year.

The flight to and from Japan once a year also had an effect, which was more than the average of German citizens, about 11 tons.

Mr. Kumagai

"There are people I know who are very interested in environmental issues, and I always commute to work without a bicycle or car, and I don't even get on an airplane as much as possible. It was about half of me. Everyone is thinking about how to change their lives and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide by comparing them in this way. It puts too much load on the environment. There are so many people who think that living in a non-existent way is a cool way of life. "

What is the attitude of German companies in environmentally advanced countries?

Citizens' high environmental awareness is changing the attitude of companies.

For example, when employees travel by air, they emit carbon dioxide, so there are efforts to invest in projects such as tree planting and to publish on the website how much carbon dioxide is emitted in which fields of corporate activities. It means that it is becoming widespread in large companies.

Mr. Kumagai

"In the German economy, customers ask how much your company's" * carbon footprint "is. If the" carbon dioxide footprint "is large, the customer will stop dealing with this company. You may think that Japanese companies have to take it seriously, as German companies are facing now. I think that is the time to come. ”

(* Corporate carbon footprint = Record of the amount of greenhouse gas emitted by corporate activities)

Aiming for "decarbonization" and "economic growth"

Naturally, in order to realize a carbon-free society, it is necessary to fundamentally consider what to do with energy policy, including nuclear power plants.

On the other hand, I was surprised at the high level of awareness of German citizens and it was helpful.

In the EU, the strategy is to simultaneously promote the revitalization and decarbonization of the depressed economy with the new corona.

We are actively investing in the environmental field to build a business model that creates new jobs.

The Government of Japan is also trying to lead to new economic growth while aiming to realize a carbon-free society by 2050.

It seems that it will become a global trend in the future.

In "Migake, Curiosity!" Of "Weekly Maru-Knowledge News" (broadcast at 9:00 am on Saturday), we will delve into the news every week on the subject of current affairs presented in the entrance examination.

Let's think of "why?", In fact, "in the first place" that you want to know as a Kamakura caster!

You can also review the past on the homepage of the corner.

Please take a look from the link below!

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/maruwaka-migake/