Of Rising Temps, Food Prices and Riots
Japan Banks on Green Technology for Future
Japan’s environmental record is checkered, to say the least. In addition to fishing bluefin tuna to the edge of extinction, it continues its appalling slaughter of dolphins, and it defends its right to hunt whales as part of its cultural history, despite the fact that its people barely consume any whale meat. But it is putting its faith in technology to improve that record.
The Japanese government, in concert with more than 140 leading companies, plans to invest $6.4 billion in green technologies over the next 15 months, Ecopolitology reported.
The government hopes to create 10,000 jobs within that time frame, and the other companies that are contributing to the $6.4 billion investment would then indirectly generate another 85,000 jobs. The cooperative venture is targeting solar power, LED lighting, and more efficient cars and appliances, among other green technologies.
The report follows on the heels of Japan’s announced plan in 2009 to create nearly a million new jobs through its green energy sector by 2020, and had committed $1 trillion to that long-range effort.
While economic growth has been the primary engine behind Japan’s push for green energy and new technology, energy independence is a close second. Like many countries, Japan’s natural energy resources are limited and it relies heavily on imports.