In the previous column, as the beginning of the column, I introduced the reasons why I became interested in environmental issues and the ideas that influenced me after that.

Now, around us, the topic of environmental issues is straightforward. But what exactly is an environmental problem? What is an environmental problem and what is not an environmental problem? If you are in contact with TV, newspapers, and magazines without thinking about such things, you may fall into the perception that "what is reported in the media = environmental problems" among environmental problems.

Looking at recent reports, there is no day when we do not see or hear reports related to global warming. When this happens, the stereotype that "environmental problems = global warming?" Comes to mind without knowing it.

The other day, when I asked some people in the company what specific environmental problems they had, 80% of them said. "sea level rise" or "Abnormal weather such as typhoons and hurricanes" "Global warming" In any case "Global warming" I gave something related to. Based on this recognition, if each person thinks about countermeasures for environmental problems, I feel that the countermeasures will be extremely biased.

Come to think of it, when I was in elementary school, social studies at school "Pollution problem" Was taken very big. especially "Air pollution"or"Water pollution" There is an impression that occupied a large area among them. So, at that time, when asked what environmental problems were, most people would probably think of smoke and wastewater from factory and exhaust gas from automobiles. Also, a few years ago, when garbage was burned in Japan, the " dioxin Became a problem. At that time, when it came to environmental issues, everyone suddenly came up with " dioxin It may have been Also, I sometimes see scenes on TV where environmental protection groups resort to violent actions to protect wild animals."Wildlife protection”Isn't there a lot of people who have an impression like this? Other "Destruction of the ozone layer" "acid rain" "Excessive logging of forests" …The more I give, the more I keep going.

Of course, all of these are environmental problems, but I think it is necessary to recognize that they are not the only environmental problems, but that they all together make up an environmental problem.

There is certainly an epidemic in environmental issues. Media such as TV and newspapers report that the current environmental problems are the most serious problems. At that time, it makes a lot of noise because it is a big problem, but there are many things that are forgotten as if nothing had happened if you passed your throat.

It is extremely doubtful whether effective measures can be taken in the medium to long term if measures are taken in line with the trends of the media. I think it is necessary to discuss what kind of measures should be prioritized, taking into consideration the urgency and importance of each problem, while having an awareness of environmental problems that are not influenced by trends.

By the way, in the next column, I would like to think about "definition of environmental problems" in order to deepen the recognition of what is an environmental problem.

June 15, 2008 Hironobu Matsui