The Land of Rising COnservation

Alix Albright
October 6th, 2009

This article talks about how energy conservation is being used and practiced through out Japan. Japan is more advanced in energy conservation technology than America at the moment. New types of technologies have been introduced into the Japanese people such as home fuel cells. This new device turns hydrogen into electricity and cold water into hot. It runs in an environmentally safe way and at a fraction of regular utility costs. Hitoshi Ikuma, a specialist in energy issues at the Japan Research Institute. “Energy conservation is almost an obsession here among government, companies, regular citizens, everyone.”(NYP) Not only are new types of technologies being introduced, but as stated before the government is cracking down on ways citizens can help conserve energy. Tasks as easy as turning off lights and unplugging electronic devices decrease the amount of energy drastically. "The government in turn has used these tax revenues to help Japan seize the lead in renewable energies like solar power, and more recently home fuel cells. One way has been a subsidy of about $51,000 for each home fuel cell". (NYP) High energy prices have also spurred the increase amount of scientific inventions to create devices that are cheaper and more environmentally friendly in the way of energy use. This has helped people save money and spend/ save it for meaningful or necessary means.

This article talks about a very important issue and actually sends out a very important lesson as well. Japan has taken the initiative to address an important issue and find ways to have the people of their country respond and become apart of it. People love saving the hard earned money they work for. By coming up with ways to help the environment and help people save money, almost everyone will become involved. This is something all countries need to take into consideration and act upon. How they do it is up to them, but energy is a necessary commodity, and needs to be conserved as much as possible.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/06/business/worldbusiness/06japanfuel.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=2&adxnnlx=1254802830-Eli6POZSF0SX0pSlIjwKQg