Japan Squeezes to Get Most of Costly Fuel (save energy, fight gl. warming)

[DeepModem Mom]

New York Times, page one:
Japan Squeezes to Get the Most of Costly Fuel
By JAMES BROOKE
Published: June 4, 2005


TOKYO, June 3 - Surging oil prices and growing concerns about meeting targets to cut greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels have revived efforts around the world to improve energy efficiency. But perhaps nowhere is the interest greater than here in Japan.

Even though Japan is already among the most frugal countries in the world, the government recently introduced a national campaign, urging the Japanese to replace their older appliances and buy hybrid vehicles, all part of a patriotic effort to save energy and fight global warming. And big companies are jumping on the bandwagon, counting on the moves to increase sales of their latest models.

On the Matsushita appliance showroom floor these days, the numbers scream not the low, low yen prices, but the low, low kilowatt-hours.

A vacuum-insulated refrigerator, which comes with a buzzer if the door stays open more than 30 seconds, boasts that it will use 160 kilowatt-hours a year, one-eighth of that needed by standard models a decade ago. An air-conditioner with a robotic dust filter cleaner proclaims it uses 884 kilowatt-hours, less than half of what decade-old ones consumed.

"It's like squeezing a dry towel" for the last few drips, said Katsumi Tomita, an environmental planner for the Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, maker of the Panasonic brand and known for its attention to energy efficiency. "The honest feeling of Japanese people is, 'How can we do more?' "...


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/04/business/worldbusiness/04energy.html


Edited to add graphic:

[Coastie for Truth]

1. Back of the envelope calculation - based on graphics

we could probably cut our energy consumption 50% without cutting our standard of living or GDP at all.

It's called "creative green engineering."

[DeepModem Mom]

5. Interesting, Coastie -- thanks for calculating. nt

[AlecBGreen]

2. READ THIS BOOK

If you have any spare money or time, READ this book - Natural Capitalism : The Next Industrial Revolution

<snip from Amazon review>

In Natural Capitalism, three top strategists show how leading-edge companies are practicing "a new type of industrialism" that is more efficient and profitable while saving the environment and creating jobs. Paul Hawken and Amory and Hunter Lovins write that in the next century, cars will get 200 miles per gallon without compromising safety and power, manufacturers will relentlessly recycle their products, and the world's standard of living will jump without further damaging natural resources. "Is this the vision of a utopia? In fact, the changes described here could come about in the decades to come as the result of economic and technological trends already in place," the authors write.

They call their approach natural capitalism because it's based on the principle that business can be good for the environment. For instance, Interface of Atlanta doubled revenues and employment and tripled profits by creating an environmentally friendly system of recycling floor coverings for businesses. The authors also describe how the next generation of cars is closer than we might think. Manufacturers are already perfecting vehicles that are ultralight, aerodynamic, and fueled by hybrid gas-electric systems. If natural capitalism continues to blossom, so much money and resources will be saved that societies will be able to focus on issues such as housing, contend Hawken, author of a book and PBS series called Growing a Business, and the Lovinses, who cofounded and directed the Rocky Mountain Institute, an environmental think tank. The book is a fascinating and provocative read for public-policy makers, as well as environmentalists and capitalists alike.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0316353000/qid=1117890238/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-3558751-8949717?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Ive read it several times, recommended it to my dad (a city councilman) and anyone else who would listen. It is rational, practical, and business savvy.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Thanks, Alec -- I'll pass the word to some folks about this book. nt

[AlecBGreen]

4. any time!

Seriously, this book made my jaw drop. Its such a simple but overlooked fact: increased effciency = less input and more output = increased profits. The authors show how this will also preserve the environment AND create jobs. Think of a service based economy. The company frequently mentioned, Interface, leases "floor covering services" instead of selling carpet. As the authors correctly points out, you dont want to own the carpet, you just want the soft floors and reduced noise! Now take that to the next level - no more buying refrigerators, air conditioning, etc. You rent the service and save money while the company gets high profits by becoming ever more efficient.

As Lamar Burton famously said, "dont take my word for it...read the book and find out for yourself!"

[Coastie for Truth]

6. Just ordered it from Amazon

I heard Lovins speak on a panel with Stan Ovshinsky about 20 years ago. Very impressed - and very impressive.