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An August 27th Japan Times article reports the following:
Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito proposed Tuesday replacing all official cars for Cabinet ministers with next-generation automobiles, such as hybrids, by the time the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 as part of efforts to cut green house gas emissions.
He told a news conference after presenting the proposal at a ministers' informal meeting that other Cabinet ministers gave their approval.
According to the Environment Ministry, six out of 13 official cars for Cabinet members are already next-generation automobiles.
This is great, but does it really deserve a news article? I understand that Saito and other ministers are trying to drum up some good publicity, but that doesn't mean the Japan Times has to play along.
Why must we make so much out of such a commonsensical move towards reducing carbon emissions? In my opinion this kind of lauding only serves to belittle the real lifestyle changes that are needed in order to reduce carbon emissions. If simply switching to hybrid vehicles deserves a mention in the newspaper, what do you get for cutting your home electricity use in half? . . .an encyclopedia entry?
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