From extreme weather events to global energy shortages, the news has been inundated with climate-related terms.
In late July, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida launched a グリーントランスフォーメーション (gurīn toransufōmēshon, green transformation) panel to fight 気候変動 (kikōhendō, climate change).
Abbreviated as “GX” with the “X” standing for “transformation,” Kishida has said that the national push to create a 脱炭素社会 (datsutanso shakai, carbon-free society) by 2050 hinges on 原子力発電所の再稼働 (genshiryoku hatsuden-sho no saikadō, restarting nuclear power plants) as well as 次世代原発 (jisedai genpatsu, next generation nuclear power).
While that has caused some controversy among environmentalists, efforts to ramp up the use of 再生可能エネルギー (saiseikanō enerugī, renewable energy) has also been underway. For example, Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture is looking to take the lead in 脱炭素化 (datsutansoka, decarbonization) by creating energy for local use via 太陽光発電 (taiyōkō hatsuden, solar power generation).
Experts have warned, however, that 異常気象 (ijō kishō, extreme weather) — the 大雨 (ōame, heavy rain) and 熱波 (neppa, heat waves) that have caused deadly 洪水 (kōzui, floods) and 干ばつ (kanbatsu, droughts) all over the world — is set to become the norm.
And with Japan just as vulnerable to 気候変動 as any other country, more people have begun to think about what they can do to mitigate its effects.
Most Japanese media outlets continue to use the term 気候変動, even though the “change” has already occurred. English media and some Japanese environmentalist organizations have switched instead to using 気候危機 (kikō kiki, climate crisis) as a way to convey a greater sense of urgency.