In order to enforce sustainable growth in the world’s growing populations, Japan looks forward to working and collaborating with all nations, developed and developing, in order to create resolutions to preserve the general environment and prevent further or greater damage to it. Patterns of production focuses on how countries produce the goods that are both used domestically and those that are exported, as well as where the goods are produced and the effect that those factories may have on the surrounding population and environment.
Japan is one of the top producers of material goods in the world and has developed an advanced economy at a rapid rate. Japan is a leader in producing ships, car parts, and textiles. Sustainable development was not something focused on in Japan’s past. With Japan’s rapid growth, short-term gain was preferred over long-term longevity.
Pollution affected people’s health and well-being. Diseases arose from the improper handling of industrial waste. These diseases are known as the Four Big Pollution Diseases: Itai – Itai Disease, Minamata Disease, Niigata Minamata Disease, and Yokkaichi Asthma.
Itai – Itai disease was caused by cadmium poisoning from rivers near mines; Minamata Disease was caused by methylmercury poisoning from toxic industrial wastewater like Niigata Minamata Disease, and Yokkaichi Asthma was caused by the inhalation of sulfur dioxide in the form of smog in cities. After this crisis, legislation against pollution was created along with the Environmental Agency of 1971 in order to change industrial practices. Japan would like other countries to view its mishaps as works of the past and not practices that should be allowed to continue.
Japan would like to take the lead in developing technologies to reduce pollution, and also support the promotion of sustainable development for developing nations, as well as public health awareness and better consumption patterns in the near future. Japan looks forward to working with other countries in order to keep cities healthier and companies’ production standards higher and regulated.
Public transport allows large amounts of people in densely populated areas to travel together to save resources everyday. This significantly reduces emissions and greenhouse gasses, which both contribute to smog and atmosphere pollution. Not only does participating in public transportation reduce the carbon footprint, but it also reduces energy consumption. Most people in Japan have traveled by foot until the later half of the eighteenth century, when trains were first developed. Trains are relied on by many citizens to get to regular destinations every day. One such train is the bullet train, developed in 1964 for the purpose of large scale public transport. In addition to this, bullet trains can travel over 320 km and prevent an incredible amount of carbon dioxide emissions that would be created otherwise. Despite their speed, these trains are also very safe for all passengers and luggage, ensuring both a better trip and improved air quality.
Japan would like to work with other nations in order to create resolutions on this topic. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions results in cleaner air. Therefore, Japan advocates for action now to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in order to prevent further damage to the environment. From past experience, Japan knows that the cost of reversing the carbon footprint will cost more than any initial protection. For developing nations, using public transport is cheaper in many aspects than individual vehicles and for developed nations, it saves resources. Therefore, Japan would like to advocate for increased access to public transport in both developing and developed nations.
In addition to fossil fuels, there are many other forms of energy that can be used to power our societies. Such energies include geothermal, wind, solar, and nuclear power. These energies are particularly important to use because fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) are nonrenewable and take millions of years to make, whereas the other energies are renewable and better for the general environment. Japan used a significant amount of fossil fuels in the 1950’s with coal being the main provider of energy for the country. Japan used fossil fuels regularly until the Oil Crisis of 1973. This forced Japan to rely on alternate sources of energy, making them important to the well-being of its citizens and the country’s economy. The two sources of alternative energy that Japan utilizes are solar and nuclear power. Japan’s private companies invest large amounts of money into solar energy development, as well as the creation of solar panels.
Nuclear energy is created at plants which Japan relies on for a significant amount of the country’s energy needs. Due to the tragedies of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan is exceptionally aware of all the risks of nuclear energy and puts safety first in every plant. Nuclear energy is reliable and it also releases no carbon dioxide, reducing the carbon footprint of the country. Japan plans to increase its use of alternative energy and build more nuclear plants. The target goal is a total of fifty by 2010, increasing the consumption of reliable energy. Outside of Japan, Japan would like to work together with other nations in hopes of increasing the use of alternative forms of energy that are both reliable and accessible to the people using it.
Reducing Vehicle Emissions Through Public Transport And. (2021, Dec 21). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/reducing-vehicle-emissions-through-public-transport-and/