## Conclusion: A Low-Carbon Society

As mentioned above, accelerating global warming is a fact. Actually, we have various impacts in the form of extreme climate events, such as extraordinarily hot weather, frequent formation of high-intensity tropical depressions, an increase of heavy rain, rising sea-surface temperatures, etc. Human beings benefit from ecosystems in various ways in the form of ecosystem services supported by biodiversity. However, global warming is affecting ecosystem services adversely and seriously. According to the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report, global mean temperature increase due to global warming is projected up to $ 6.4^{\circ} $ C by the end of 21th century. Thus, our earth faces truly critical conditions.

In order to avoid the crisis, we need to accelerate our global warming countermeasures. The Japanese government has been reviewing the Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan with a view to clarifying the direction of our environmental policy in regards to measures to be implemented both inside and outside the country, and is now finalizing the “Becoming A Leading Environmental Nation Strategy in the 21st Century: Japan’s Strategy for a Sustainable Society” as a guideline for Japan’s contribution to future international frameworks.

It is necessary to combine our short-term and long-term efforts based on the said national plan. First of all, we need correct knowledge and information. That's why this report focuses on specific information regarding global warming and technologies effective to reduce GHG emissions; it will help readers understand the current status and potentialities of technologies for emission reduction in our everyday living. Implementation of global warming countermeasures requires the integral promotion of technology development, institutional reforms and behavioral improvement. In other words, we need institutional developments such as the creation of social mechanisms to facilitate thorough utilization of effective technologies as well as behavioral revolutions such as changes in actions or lifestyles on the part of all members of the general public. Through those efforts and reforms of socioeconomic systems, to be promoted nationally and regionally, we need to create a "low carbon society" on this earth so as to protect ourselves and future generations as well as the foundation for human survival. On May 24, 2007, Prime Minister Abe announced a strategic package titled "Cool Earth 50," which consists of three major proposals to tackle global warming. This initiative is supposed to play the central role in the "Becoming A Leading Environmental Nation Strategy in the 21st Century: Japan's Strategy for a Sustainable Society" We have now started working together to make "a low carbon society" a reality.

## I nvitation to Cool Earth 50 delivered by Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe

[The Issue]

☐ We must create a new framework which moves beyond the Kyoto Protocol, in which the entire world will participate in emissions reduction.

○ Three concerns have been raised about the endeavor to create a new framework. However, we can overcome all these concerns.

1. Wouldn’t endeavors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions hinder economic growth?

2. Even if your own country takes steps to address the issue, it will not lead to the resolution of the issue on a global scale unless other countries also take action.

3. Isn’t it unfair to ask developing countries to take steps?

○ Japan has overcome serious pollution and oil crises, and reduced oil consumption by 8 percent even though its GDP has doubled. The keys for resolving the issues were advanced technologies, social mechanisms and traditions harmonious with the environment, and the solid will of our people.

[Overview of the Proposal]

“Today, I would like to extend an invitation to a beautiful planet, Earth in the year 2050.”

“I am calling my initiative “Cool Earth 50,” a strategy consisting of the following three pillars.”

Pillar 1: a long-term strategy to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases globally

○ Propose a long-term target of cutting global emissions by half from the current level by 2050 as a common goal for the