Intensification of global environmental problems including global warming and marine pollution caused by plastic wastes, which follows economic growth and a rise in the standard of living, are drawing people's attention. As a result, it has become necessary for people all over the world to take positive actions to solve such environmental problems.

Prime Minister Suga announced to the world that Japan would aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which is recognized as an ambitious target. In 2018, however, Japan emitted 1.24 billion tons of GHGs (CO₂ equivalent). Therefore, to achieve this target, Japan must reduce its GHG emissions because the amount of GHGs absorbed by forest and other resources is limited and not enough to achieve carbon neutrality even if Japanese people try to increase the amount of GHGs absorbed by such resources.

Many companies herald investments in promotion of SDGs and ESG as parts of their management goals with high degrees of priority, and practice them. On the other hand, it is a reality that fossil fuels have overwhelming advantages as energy sources for power generation, production, movement and transportation in terms of economy, stable supply and convenience. To increase the amount of renewable energy sources used as alternatives to fossil fuels, we need dramatic innovations to overthrow the present situation. We should aim to achieve sustainable economic growth through development of competitive clean-energy systems.

On further reflection, I would like to think how each of us should behave as an ordinary citizen. With regard to the final electricity consumption, industrial use accounts for 37% and commercial/household use accounts for 61%. When we classify the amount of CO₂ emissions into economic sectors, commercial/household sector accounts for 32% of total CO₂ emissions. Therefore, in order to reduce CO₂ emissions, it is essential not only for corporations but also for ordinary citizens to contribute to GHG reduction through resource conservation, energy conservation, and environment conscious lifestyle and behavior. The first step we can take immediately is the action to promote 3Rs, namely "Reduce, Re-use and Recycle." Accumulation of each person's small actions, including avoidance of excessive packaging, use of recycled items, thorough implementation of sorted trash collection, more use of clean energy sources, reduction of electricity consumption, and reduction and effective utilization of leftover food, will produce excellent results.

I am not against convenient and comfortable life. However, do we really need living environment with perfect air conditioning, going out with cars every time, 24-hour stores and restaurants, same-day or next-day delivery of goods sold through the Internet, and illumination of business areas too bright for people to see not only stars but also the moon? As ordinary citizens, we should reconsider lifestyle with too-much comfort, and are required to change our mind in order to accept lifestyle with "small shortage, minor inconvenience, and some additional effort." I believe this is a civilized lifestyle we should hand over to future generations, and we should take actions to promote 3Rs as our hidden promises to them.