Address by Dr. Akito Arima
Representative of the Government of Japan for DESD affairs
At the International Launch of the United Nations Decade of Education
for Sustainable Development
March 1, 2005
Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO
Mrs. Nane Annan, wife of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Mrs. Rima Salah, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF
Prof. Steven Rockefeller, Chairman of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Prof. Alpha Omar Konare, President of the Commission of African Union
Mr. Carl Lindberg, former Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science of Sweden
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
On this occasion of the International Launch of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, it is a great honor for me to be here with you today as representative of the government of Japan.
The Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Koizumi proposed, with suggestions of Japanese non-governmental organizations, that the United Nations declare a "Decade of Education for Sustainable Development", which was accepted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. Followingly, the government of Japan presented to the 57th session of the United Nations General Assembly a draft resolution on the Decade, which was adopted by consensus. In his speech at Johannesburg Summit, the Prime Minister Koizumi emphasized that one of the key factors to achieve sustainable development is education. My country, Japan, poor in natural resources, has grown to be what it is today, owing to the strength of its human resources. However, in the high economic growth era of the 1960s we experienced serious pollutions in the process of rapid industrialization and many people suffered from health problem. On the basis of this experience, we would be pleased if countries now taking off for development could learn from Japan's past failure, not repeat this experience, and make effort to achieve development in harmony with environment.
Meanwhile, through this high economic growth, the practice of mass production, mass consumption and mass disposal have been promoted. But if we continue to seek convenience and comfort from the present lifestyle, it will cause an irreplaceable damage to nature's reproducing potential in the near future. In order to avoid such situation by achieving sustainable development, we, especially the industrialized countries, need to change our lifestyle and values through education. Therefore, at this International Launch of UNDESD, I would like to propose actions that developed countries should take, introducing present situation of energy resources.
The amount of world energy consumption is increasing year by year. For example, in Japan, between 1973 and 2002, the energy consumption in the industrial sector increased only 1.1 times thanks to energy conservation measures, while the increase in the transportation sector was 2.1 times, and the commercial and household sector 2.3 times, due to the switch to convenience-oriented lifestyle. The world energy demand is expected to keep growing, the demand in 2030 estimated to grow 1.7 times from 2000.
If people continue to consume limited natural energy resources at the present rate, petroleum, natural gas and uranium would be used up by the end of this century, more precisely by 2044, 2070, and 2088 respectively.
When looking at the primary energy sources of Japan in 2002, petroleum still dominates 50% of energy resources, although its share decreased from 77% in 1973 by the introduction of other forms of energy such as nuclear energy. Then it is followed by coal, 20 %, gas, 14%, nuclear energy, 12%, hydro energy, 3% and new energy, 2% of total primary energy sources.
As for carbon dioxide emissions in atmosphere, between 1971 and 2001, it increased from 14.6 billion tons to 24 billion tons. The average world temperature rose by about 0.7 degree centigrade the past century.
In order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, we must decrease the burning of fossil fuel and instead increase the supply of atomic energy and renewable energies. Many countries have started the development of the technology to produce renewable energies. However, as hydro energy, as a part of the renewable energy, has been already used considerably, it is necessary to develop new energies. For example, Japan leads the world production of solar power, its share being 48.5% of the total in 2002. However, as I mentioned before, the contribution of new energy to the total primary energy sources of Japan is only 2%. The Japanese government aims to increase this figure to around 3% by 2010 and support local governments, businesses and non-profit organizations in their efforts towards the introduction of new energies. We have also enacted the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Law, which imposes upon electric utility companies a duty of using more than a fixed quantity of electricity generated by the new energy. However, the use of new energy is still limited and we are not at the stage to expect too much from new energy yet.
It goes without saying that in order to solve the worldwide energy problems, international cooperation is required to develop the technology for renewable energy. Especially, the industrialized countries need to change our mind and lifestyle which is directed toward mass energy, mass production, mass consumption and mass disposal.
Only limited people recognize this Decade in Japan, and we think it is critical to intensify our efforts to raise public awareness, especially in this beginning year. To this end, it may be one effective measure to use keywords appropriate to each country or region.
Let's take an example from a Novel Peace Prize Winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kenya, who visited Japan to participate in the Commemorative Event to Mark the Entry into Force of the Kyoto Protocol last February 16. During her meeting with the Prime Minister Koizumi, she said that she was deeply impressed by a Japanese word "Mottainai" and planned to introduce this word along with 3Rs to the world. Mottainai, literally meaning too precious to be wasted, is a Japanese word that embodies the sentiment and respect toward all things, including energy resources.
The 3R Iniciative was proposed by the Prime Minister Koizumi, based on the reflection of mass production, mass consumption and mass disposal, and was agreed upon as a new G8 initiative at the Sea Island Summit held last June. The initiative will be formally launched at the Ministerial Conference to be held in Tokyo at the end of this April. The aim of this initiative is the establishment of a sound material-cycle society through global practice of reduce, reuse and recycle. Now I have introduced the words "Mottainai" and the 3R Iniciative as I believe they share the same spirit as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.
Furthermore, we will hold "The 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan" from the end of this month for half a year. Through the exposition, we aim to create new style of culture focusing on "Nature's Wisdom" and propose way of life and the direction to address global environmental issues of the 21 century. As one of the EXPO events, a NGO Global Village aims to display its long-term effects even after the end of EXPO in line with the U.N. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. More specifically, it will not only introduce the global activities of various NPOs/NGOs for sustainability, but also plans to develop and propose programmes of "Learning for Sustainability" with NPOs/NGOs of the world, working together as a unit.
In addressing global issue of sustainable development today, it is required that all people's awareness, thought and action are formed into global partnership and network.
Japan would like to continue to contribute to the promotion of this Decade in partnership with its lead agency, UNESCO, relevant international organizations, NGOs and other stakeholders, utilizing every adequate occasions and measures, such as the word "Mottainai", 3R Initiative, and EXPO Aichi.
I would like to conclude my speech by hoping that a major progress will have been made by the end of this decade toward the "World, where everyone has the opportunity to benefit from education and learn the values, behavior and lifestyles required for a sustainable future and for positive social transformation" described as the basic vision of the DESD in the draft International Implementation Scheme.
Thank you for your attention.