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Climate change is a worldwide threat that affects global ecosystems and human life over the next several centuries. While adverse effects of climate change are likely to spread out over many decades and centuries, actions to minimize such impacts are required immediately. The challenge we face is to decide on short-term actions while thinking from a long-term perspective.
This brochure is a summary of the efforts by a group of individual researchers, who are leading research in Japan on climate-related issues. The backgrounds of researchers are diverse; some model climate change and its impact, while others examine its institutional aspects. The aim of the group is to start from a long-term view of climate change, and conclude by identifying key elements for shortterm actions.
There have already been many studies around the world on this topic, but few of them are convincing enough in linking the long-term goal and short-term actions. Although we do not dare to say we have yet succeeded in entirely fulfilling this objective, we consider that our exercise made a good analysis of the debates on this issue.
Subsequent to the publication of the IPCC Third Assessment Report, there is now a stronger recognition among policy makers and other stakeholders that something needs to be done to mitigate climate change. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol were important first and second steps towards this objective. It is now time to start taking the third step in the right direction. We hope this brochure would assist policy makers in considering the potential third step.
Sixteen experts are involved in creation of this brochure. I would like to mention, however, the late Dr. Tsuneyuki Morita as another expert who had contributed to stimulating research activity on this topic in Japan. Although he passed away on September 4, 2003, his desire to contribute to the global environmental protection continues to stimulate and guide the authors' thoughts.