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5.  The emerging problems in the nature

   As mentioned earlier, Japan is located in east Asia. 
This location is abundant in water, so rice has been our main 
staple for more than thousands of year. We have inherited 
Buddhism and have survived by harvesting rice with the 
abunance of rain that we have been given. The Japanese mind 
has been cultivated under these circumstances. But these good 
traditions have declined due to industrial modernization.


Bitter products of industialization
   As a matter of fact, after World War II, materialism and individualism 
were the first concerns of Japanese people, so we produced mass amounts 
of industrial material. On the other hand, mass consumption and destruction 
of natural resources has accelerated in recent times and consumption of fuel 
and emissions from global warming gases have increased sharply. 
Unfortunately today's Japanese people have become inconsiderate of our 
environment, have forgotten the "Mottainai" spirit, have lost the strong 
attachment to tradition, culture, and our country itself. The problems of 
global warming and air pollution can be seen in the lack of consideration 
that many people have for their environment and natural resources. 

It will be a good first step to appreciating our natural environment and 
protecting it that we talk about nature, weather and social life. 

Now,let's look at a few environmental issues below.
   (Reference:  Carbon Cycle, Relationship among environmental issues) 

Global warming
     We can see the recent rise of sea levels and the collapse of icebergs, 
wild animal extinctions, and deforestation and equate them to signs of 
global warming. After the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, there was 
a 6% reduction of CO2's which was implemented by the Japanese government 
and followed by the Japanese people. COP3 is supported by over 55 countries 
in the world.


Air pollution
     Iron companies and chemical related companies once produced tons of        
poisonous gases (SO2, NOx). Automobile exhausts were notorious for air 
pollution. Recently pollution has been controlled and regulated with much effort. 

Sea and river water contamination
     River water is becoming good in its quality due to regulations, 
but sea water contamination is still a serious issue. This is endemic to 
the whole world. We are now considering two measures for the prevention 
of global warming: 
A.	Mitigation 
B.	Adaptation 

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