The Hindu : International : Keeping cool,the natural way

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004

International

International

Keeping cool,the natural way

Tokyo: Japan's buttoned-up politicians and executives are dressing down this summer in the latest bid to fight global warming. With temperatures topping 30C and humidity edging towards unbearable, bureaucrats and businessmen have agreed to do the sensible thing by removing jackets at the office — something of a revolution in Japan's Ministries and corporations. The idea is to stay cool naturally rather than use energy by cranking up air conditioning. Ministers hailed the new dress code as a sign that they are serious about achieving Japan's pledge to cut carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases by 6 per cent from 1990 levels before 2012. ``In the spirit of the Kyoto Accord, we agreed to dress more lightly for the time being,'' said the Finance Minister, Sadakazu Tanigaki, who caused laughter by urging journalists to remove their jackets while he himself wore a navy blue suit. The measure, which will stay in place until Tokyo's sweltering heat starts to abate in late September, comes after the Government made the embarrassing admission that it is failing to meet its targets. Figures show emissions were higher than 1990 levels, prompting the Environment Minister, to call for ``drastic measures''. —

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