Rising heat in Japan spurs increased anxiety about the climate crisis

The world is enduring a sweltering summer like never before. In Japan, a recent survey conducted by ELEMINIST, a service guiding sustainable living, highlights growing public concern over rising temperatures and their connection to global warming. The survey, which polled 50 of their followers aged 20 to 60, offers a glimpse into how the Japanese are experiencing and responding to the heat.

This year has already brought severe heat across various regions, with 72 percent of respondents describing the summer as “very hot” and 28 percent as “moderately hot.” Not a single participant reported feeling that it was “not very hot” or “not hot at all,” reflecting reality of the heatwave’s intensity.

Looking back on the record-breaking heat of 2023, participants were asked whether they thought this year would surpass it. A striking 76 percent predicted that 2024 would indeed be hotter, while 24 percent believed it would be about the same. None expected cooler temperatures. When asked about the causes of such extreme heat, an overwhelming 88 percent replied “global warming.”

The survey also gauged the extent to which people feel the threat of global warming due to the intense heat. An impressive 88 percent reported feeling the threat “strongly,” while the remaining 12 percent “somewhat” felt it. No respondents indicated minimal or no concern.

Respondents expressed worries about the diverse impacts of global warming. Concerns ranged from “extreme weather such as heat waves” and “impacts on agriculture and fisheries” to “effects on ecosystems” and “increases in natural disasters.”

In terms of action, the survey revealed that many individuals are already taking steps to mitigate their environmental impact. The most common measure, practiced by 92 percent of respondents, was “avoiding unnecessary use of electricity.” Other notable actions included “setting air conditioning to appropriate temperatures” (84 percent), “avoiding food waste” (76 percent), and “reducing plastic waste” (76 percent).

Participants were also asked for their thoughts after experiencing the hottest year on record in 2023 and the current intense heat. Many emphasized the need for personal and collective action, such as reducing energy consumption. There was a strong sentiment that the media should increase coverage of the link between summer heat and climate change, raising public awareness about the ongoing crisis.

As Japan faces yet another record-breaking summer, the call for more environmental measures and greater awareness grows louder. The survey may not have a huge amount of of participants, but the surveyees were saying what we are all thinking and worrying about: the climate crisis and the dire future.