Energy Conservation (2004-08-14)
So far this summer has been hot, hot and hot. It has been a scorcher nearly everyday since July with no relief in sight. In fact August 11th marked the 37th consecutive manatsubi ( Real Summer Day with temperature over 30C) in Tokyo. It broke the longest manatsubi streak since Japan Metological Agency began keeping records in 1923. If I remember what I saw on the news correctly, it was fifty-nine years ago when Tokyo experienced a record 36 hot days in a row.
To combat this heat wave, air-conditioners are running left, right and center in Tokyo consuming massive amount of electricity. At the same time the government constantly reminds us to conserve energy. Agency for Natural Resources And Energy urges people to set their thermostats and air-conditioners' running temperature at 28C (82F). As much as we'd like to help to conserve energy, that is an unrealistic request. A room set at that temperature can never be called an air-conditioned room, it's a slightly warm oven.
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