10
metallic state consumes markedly less energy than making it from natural resources
in an oxidized state. In short, directing ourselves toward becoming a circulating
society will also contribute to energy saving. Furthermore, the construction, home
electronics, and other such industries could also cut their energy consumption in
half. If such rates of reduction are averaged out to cover energy consumption for
each of these categories, the amount that people consume as a whole could be kept
down to less than one-third that of the benchmark year.
Thus, I came up with a projected amount based on a detailed study of each energy
consumption item and a meticulous theoretical and technological analysis of those
items that made the greatest contributions. I then took the resulting value, added the
weights of the amounts of energy each consumed and averaged it to determine the
appropriate amount a tripling of efficiency would be.
1.2.5 Doubling the Amount of Renewable Energy
The third point is to make it our objective that we double the amount of renewable
energy. As of 1995, fossil resources accounted for an overwhelming amount of
energy consumption at 80%. Renewable energy came next at 15%, comprising firewood at 10% and hydraulic power at 5%. Nuclear power also provided 5%.
Accordingly, given that only 20% of the energy produced came from renewables
that did not generate CO 2 including nuclear power, I set increasing that proportion
to 40% through the use of renewable energy as the objective.
1.2.6 Increases in Both Comfort and Economic Performance
Each of the foregoing goals have been set rather high, but they certainly are not so
reckless that they are unachievable. The discussions in the next chapter will show
how progress has gradually been made toward achieving them in the two decades
since 1995. Moreover, as we draw closer to a form of society we should have in the
future, the quality of life will not decline. The amount of energy consumed can be
kept down just by regularly replacing old air conditioners and refrigerators with new
ones (Fig. 1.4). The convenience and ease of use of the new products should be better than before. Fuel consumption is not the only thing that improves with automobiles; their safety and comfort also improves. New enjoyments have arisen from
choosing the car you want from among a variety of environmentally friendly
options. Furthermore, the recycling rates for steel and concrete are rising in the
industrial sector.
Are people creating inconveniences for themselves as the recycling rate rises, the
efficiency of automobiles and home electronics improves, and the use of solar power
spreads? Even if there are improvements to economic development, convenience,
and a sense of safety, this will not be harmful. Furthermore, it will create new busi1 The Message in “Vision 2050”
metallic state consumes markedly less energy than making it from natural resources
in an oxidized state. In short, directing ourselves toward becoming a circulating
society will also contribute to energy saving. Furthermore, the construction, home
electronics, and other such industries could also cut their energy consumption in
half. If such rates of reduction are averaged out to cover energy consumption for
each of these categories, the amount that people consume as a whole could be kept
down to less than one-third that of the benchmark year.
Thus, I came up with a projected amount based on a detailed study of each energy
consumption item and a meticulous theoretical and technological analysis of those
items that made the greatest contributions. I then took the resulting value, added the
weights of the amounts of energy each consumed and averaged it to determine the
appropriate amount a tripling of efficiency would be.
1.2.5 Doubling the Amount of Renewable Energy
The third point is to make it our objective that we double the amount of renewable
energy. As of 1995, fossil resources accounted for an overwhelming amount of
energy consumption at 80%. Renewable energy came next at 15%, comprising firewood at 10% and hydraulic power at 5%. Nuclear power also provided 5%.
Accordingly, given that only 20% of the energy produced came from renewables
that did not generate CO 2 including nuclear power, I set increasing that proportion
to 40% through the use of renewable energy as the objective.
1.2.6 Increases in Both Comfort and Economic Performance
Each of the foregoing goals have been set rather high, but they certainly are not so
reckless that they are unachievable. The discussions in the next chapter will show
how progress has gradually been made toward achieving them in the two decades
since 1995. Moreover, as we draw closer to a form of society we should have in the
future, the quality of life will not decline. The amount of energy consumed can be
kept down just by regularly replacing old air conditioners and refrigerators with new
ones (Fig. 1.4). The convenience and ease of use of the new products should be better than before. Fuel consumption is not the only thing that improves with automobiles; their safety and comfort also improves. New enjoyments have arisen from
choosing the car you want from among a variety of environmentally friendly
options. Furthermore, the recycling rates for steel and concrete are rising in the
industrial sector.
Are people creating inconveniences for themselves as the recycling rate rises, the
efficiency of automobiles and home electronics improves, and the use of solar power
spreads? Even if there are improvements to economic development, convenience,
and a sense of safety, this will not be harmful. Furthermore, it will create new busi1 The Message in “Vision 2050”