Low Carbon Seminar (4/4)

Special Seminar 2008
HOW TO CREATE A LOW CARBON SOCIETY IN JAPAN
--A MESSAGE FROM TOKYO TO THE WORLD--

Moderator: So lastly, please tell us here today about actions we can take as individuals. Of course using less energy and buying energy-saving products is important, but are there other actions or subjects to think about?

Mr.Ehara: In our research, we introduced 2 types of ideal societies. One was the “technology-centered” model in which economical development is pushed for the cause of technological development for the environment. The other model was the “relaxed” or “slow life” model in which we try to decrease energy usage by reconsidering our lifestyles. It is up to the individual to decide which is better. Also, we can’t limit the ideal future as two scenarios. It is rather important that there are proposals from all you young people when rules change as they do today. Let’s try to make a new society towards the next generation.


Mr.Nishikawa: A low-carbon society is not a miserable one, but one in which the whole world can also experience economic development. There are aspects which we must endure, but it is important to gain a new sense of value which is to feel satisfaction through it. I think a new idea of trying to suppress CO2 when energy is acquired should be woven into at the time of investment.
Recently, I was involved in an emission credit project in which we collected funds from Europe’s largest investor. In such case, it is important to; use the funds to contribute to the world; to have a sufficient amount of return for the investor; to disclose information; and to have a good eye in evaluating technology. Without such guideline, we would not have been able to move money as much as 45 trillion dollars.
It is fairly easy to change awareness from the individual, so what’s important at the final realization part is for companies to thoroughly plan their businesses. There is demand in the environmental area so profit is promised.
I also agree about the generation issue. It is important that we pass it on to a next generation that believes it is common sense to think of the environment rather than looking for its merit.


Mr.Mori: Recently, I often feel society is starting to move towards a low-carbon one. When I talked about global warming, I realized the awareness of people in the business world has changed significantly. People who are struggling with CDM in NGOs in China are also happy about creating a new society themselves, and we are also happy we can do business together with them to build a new society. If one person takes action, more people start to move, and the system changes, and so does another, which is how I believe the world will change. I think we have just recently experienced the turning point of such scenario.


Moderator: Thank you for sharing us your wonderful insights, Mr.Ehara, Mr.Nishikawa, and Mr.Mori.


↓Vote for us!