Background on Energy and Resources Strategy - Topical Themes in Energy and Resources - page 39

These are just some of the issues that will be addressed in more detailed during the
rest of this course and which are the focus of later chapters in this topic.
A Postscript
While this course on energy and resources strategy was being given (October 2013-
March 2014), there were many abnormal weather phenomena around the world
such as the heavy rain on the Indochina Peninsula in September 2013, Typhoon No.
30 (HAIYAN) in the Philippines in November 2013, and extremely cold weather in
North America from December 2013 to January 2014. Furthermore, PM 2.5 warn-
ings (air pollution) have been issued in various regions because of air pollution
blowing from China to Japan, resulting in days when children are forbidden to play
outside in the Kyushu and Kansai Regions in Japan. In Paris, the atmosphere has
become contaminated by exhaust gases, and the Eiffel Tower appears hazy in the
smog. In response, car use has been limited to even or odd-numbered days accord-
ing to license plate numbers.
This reminds us that pollution is not a problem of only one country or region. It
exists on a global scale with cross-border pollution from country to country. Water
pollution, desertification, and other severe, pressing issues are also continuing. Ac-
cording to the latest information, the average temperature of the world in 2014 was
0.27 ℃ over that of an average year. In other words, the average temperature of the
world in 2014 will have been the highest since the start of statistical records in 1891.
It is thus important for Japan to consider how it can contribute to the world through
new technology in such fields as introducing renewable energy, energy saving, the
prevention of air/water pollution and their purification—especially for developing
countries in Asia, Africa, and South and Central America.
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