# Part Two Current Environmental Issues and Government Environmental Conservation Measures

Part Two of the Quality of the Environment in Japan 2006 (White Paper) includes the following chapters to introduce in current environmental issues and environmental conservation measures implemented by the government in FY2005.

Part Two of this booklet will report on the issues and current state of environmental problems in the following major fields:

Chapter 1. Prevention of Global Warming and Preservation of the Ozone Layer

Chapter 2. Conservation of the Atmospheric Environment

Chapter 3. Conservation of the Water, Soil, and Ground Environments

Chapter 4. Measures and Policies related to the Material Cycle, including Waste and Recycling Measures

Chapter 5. Measures for Chemical Substances

Chapter 6. Conservation of the Natural Environment and Promoting Contact with Nature

Chapter 7. Basis of Various Measures, and Measures Facilitating the Participation of Various Actors and International Cooperation

### 1. Prevention of Global Warming and Preservation of the Ozone Layer

## (1) Global Warming

Expanding human activities have resulted in the emission of massive amounts of greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) into the atmosphere, exacerbating the greenhouse effect, and possibly leading to higher temperatures on the earth's surface.

According to the Third Assessment Report: Climate Change 2001 published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global mean surface temperature increased by approximately $ 0.6^{\circ}C $ over the $ 20^{th} $ century, and consequently the mean global sea level rose by approximately 10-20cm.

Based on multiple scenarios, with certain assumptions on worldwide economic growth, population, technological innovation, economic/energy structures, and some other trends, the report also makes forecasts, predicting that the globally averaged surface temperature will increase by 1.4-5.8 $ ^{\circ} $ C in the period from 1990 to 2100.

According to analysts, the Earth has not seen such a rapid rise in temperature in the last 10,000 years.

Further global warming would have large-scale and serious impacts on the living environment of humans as well as on wildlife habitats.

Impacts of Global Warming Observed in Recent Years

Indicator	Changes Observed
Global mean surface temperature	Increased by approximately $ 0.6^{\circ}\mathrm{C} $ over the $ 20^{\mathrm{th}} $ century
Global mean sea level	Increased by 10-20cm over the $ 20^{\mathrm{th}} $ century
Hot days/heat index	Increased (likely)
Cold/frost days	Decreased for nearly all land areas
Heavy precipitation events	Increased at mid- and high latitudes in the northern hemisphere
Drought	Increased frequency in some areas
Glacier	Receded in wide areas
Snow cover	Decreased in area by 10% since the 1960s

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on the IPCC, Third Assessment Report.

Projected Impacts of Global Warming

Index	Projected Impacts
Global mean surface temperature	Increase of 1.4-5.8 $ ^{\circ} $ C from 1990 to 2100
Global mean sea level	Rise of 9-88cm from 1990 to 2100
Impacts on meteorological phenomenon	Increase in floods and droughts, and stronger typhoons
Impacts on human health	Greater heat stress, spread of infectious diseases
Impacts on ecosystem	Extinction of some animals and plants, shift in ecosystem ranges
Impacts on agriculture	Grain production will decrease in many areas. Some areas may experience increase for a while.
Impacts on water resources	Changes in water demand/supply balances, and negative impacts on water quality
Impacts on markets	Developing nations dependent upon the production of primary products will suffer immense economic losses.

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on the IPCC, Third Assessment Report.