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[TCRS]

Japan is to significantly slash its greenhouse gas reduction target in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

It will now aim to achieve a 2020 target of 3.8% below 2005 levels.

This replaces a previous commitment to reduce emissions by 25% from 1990 levels.

The moves come with all of Japan's nuclear power plants currently offline - forcing the country to increase its burning of fossil fuels.

The move was announced in Tokyo by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. The new target represents a 3% rise over 1990s emissions levels, a comprehensive turnaround from the 25% reduction target.

But Mr Suga said the previous target - set under a government led by the now-opposition Democratic Party - had been "totally unfounded".

"Our government has been saying... that the 25% reduction target was totally unfounded and wasn't feasible," he said.

'Less ambition'

Speaking at UN climate change talks in Warsaw, Japan's chief negotiator said the move was based on new circumstances.

"The new target is based on zero nuclear power in the future. We have to lower our ambition level," said Hiroshi Minami.

Acknowledging the move would attract criticism, he said the target could be adjusted if the nuclear situation changed.

Prior to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Japan generated more than a quarter of its power from nuclear energy.

But since the disaster, its 50 reactors have been mostly idled for safety checks or scheduled maintenance, amid a public backlash against nuclear energy.

Japan's last operating nuclear reactor, at Ohi, was turned off in September and analysts say the country will be without nuclear power until December at the earliest.

So far, power companies have applied to restart about a dozen of the reactors but this will take time because of safety checks and legal hurdles.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to see the reactors back on line, as they are a vital part of his plan to turn the economy around.

Since the Fukushima disaster, Japan has been forced to import huge amounts of coal, liquid natural gas and other fuels.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24952155

In the end reality catches up.

 

[Tawpgun]

Son of a bitch.

 

[chickdigger802]

what ever happen to the ice walls?

 

[Noble Neckbeard]

I am really finding it difficult to care about climate change lately. I have known all my life that it is important, but I've become so cynical about this world we humans have created for ourselves that I simply no longer care what happens to mankind. That sounds pretty awful, but I essentially hate the human race and see it as a pestilent blight on the Earth.

Something else will probably wipe us out first, anyway.

 

[Tawpgun]

I am really finding it difficult to care about climate change lately. I have known all my life that it is important, but I've become so cynical about this world we humans have created for ourselves that I simply no longer care what happens to mankind. That sounds pretty awful, but I essentially hate the human race and see it as a pestilent blight on the Earth.

Something else will probably wipe us out first, anyway.

I really hate people like this

 

[Steelrain]

I am really finding it difficult to care about climate change lately. I have known all my life that it is important, but I've become so cynical about this world we humans have created for ourselves that I simply no longer care what happens to mankind. That sounds pretty awful, but I essentially hate the human race and see it as a pestilent blight on the Earth.

Something else will probably wipe us out first, anyway.

Noble Neckbeard indeed.

 

[Orbis]

I am really finding it difficult to care about climate change lately. I have known all my life that it is important, but I've become so cynical about this world we humans have created for ourselves that I simply no longer care what happens to mankind. That sounds pretty awful, but I essentially hate the human race and see it as a pestilent blight on the Earth.

Something else will probably wipe us out first, anyway.

It's fine, you'll be dead in a few decades.

 

[shadyspace]

I am really finding it difficult to care about climate change lately. I have known all my life that it is important, but I've become so cynical about this world we humans have created for ourselves that I simply no longer care what happens to mankind. That sounds pretty awful, but I essentially hate the human race and see it as a pestilent blight on the Earth.

Something else will probably wipe us out first, anyway.

go back to reddit

 

[JDSN]

I am really finding it difficult to care about climate change lately. I have known all my life that it is important, but I've become so cynical about this world we humans have created for ourselves that I simply no longer care what happens to mankind. That sounds pretty awful, but I essentially hate the human race and see it as a pestilent blight on the Earth.

Something else will probably wipe us out first, anyway.

Thats some fedora logic right there.

 

[Ether_Snake]

Maybe if they had bothered to invest in renewable energy all these years it wouldn't be an issue, but greed says no, profits now. But it's not too late to start, would definitely help their economy.

 

[Archer]

 

[metalslimer]

The Fukushima disaster was a result of horrendous management not nuclear power. This is just sad...

 

[TCRS]

Maybe if they had bothered to invest in renewable energy all these years it wouldn't be an issue, but greed says no, profits now. But it's not too late to start, would definitely help their economy.

Every country has it's own concept of carbon reduction. Japan opted for nuclear energy, others for renewable and then some other a mix of both. Germany went for renewable only (although nuclear power stations are still currently running) which produces ~25% of the energy, but that increased CO2 output actually due to market conditions (traditional power stations had to produce more to break even). Going for renewable does not mean a CO2 reduction if the market conditions don't allow it.