Darkness falls on Tokyo

[CafeToad]

Jul 17th 2003 | FUKUSHIMA, ROKKASHO AND TOKYO
From The Economist print edition


AFP


Japan's electricity industry is in turmoil. This may have a big impact on the world's energy markets

WALK into the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and you will find most of its lifts shut down, the corridors dark, and—although it is hot and humid—the air conditioners barely working. During the lunch hour, office lights are switched off, and on rainy days (this is Tokyo's rainy season, so there are plenty) bureaucrats can be seen straining to catch what little light comes through the windows as they work through their break. Sometimes offices get so dark that their solar-powered calculators stop working.

The ministry, which oversees the electricity industry, is gearing up for a power shortage that could leave Tokyo facing unprecedented blackouts this summer, when demand for electricity reaches its peak.

more at http://www.economist.com/business/displayStory.cfm?story_id=1928646

[dpbrown]

1. Someone should tell them the world's running out of oil

And they'd better get their technologically advancee behinds to coming up with a reliable energy alternative, because the U.S. has certainly punted on the whole issue.

[Al Nasl]

2. When I saw this headline

I thought it was heralding a victory in the battle against light pollution. Maybe it is.

Light pollution (or more accurately, darkness pollution) is one of the easiest forms of environmental contamination to fight. All it requires is efficient use of lighting. Turning off lights when not in use, and saving energy.

It's win-win.