vii
spectrum of issues. There are people in the early development stage as well as those
who have already exceeded that stage, highlighting issues ranging from slave labor
to excessive eating and obesity, as well as environmental challenges.
Global Warming and Abnormal Weather
Climate change is one of the biggest threats. The average global temperature has
continued to rise, just as scientists predicted. With torrential rains occurring frequently in Tokyo, typhoons making landfalls in the Tohoku region, and snow falling
in Hawaii, the phrase “once in 100 years” has become a common truth. Will the
ecosystem be destroyed? Can agriculture, fisheries, and the tourism industries cope
with the situation? We do not yet have answer to these questions.
Understandably, many people worry about the impact of changes in the earth,
which is the foundation of the survival of humanity (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 Damage caused by a super typhoon
In Chuuk, more than 6,500 people have been displaced from their homes because of the damage
caused by Typhoon Maysak
By Erin Magee, USAID/OFDA (https://www.usaid.gov/crisis/micronesia)
Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Preface: From “Vision 2050” to “New Vision 2050”
spectrum of issues. There are people in the early development stage as well as those
who have already exceeded that stage, highlighting issues ranging from slave labor
to excessive eating and obesity, as well as environmental challenges.
Global Warming and Abnormal Weather
Climate change is one of the biggest threats. The average global temperature has
continued to rise, just as scientists predicted. With torrential rains occurring frequently in Tokyo, typhoons making landfalls in the Tohoku region, and snow falling
in Hawaii, the phrase “once in 100 years” has become a common truth. Will the
ecosystem be destroyed? Can agriculture, fisheries, and the tourism industries cope
with the situation? We do not yet have answer to these questions.
Understandably, many people worry about the impact of changes in the earth,
which is the foundation of the survival of humanity (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 Damage caused by a super typhoon
In Chuuk, more than 6,500 people have been displaced from their homes because of the damage
caused by Typhoon Maysak
By Erin Magee, USAID/OFDA (https://www.usaid.gov/crisis/micronesia)
Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Preface: From “Vision 2050” to “New Vision 2050”