In recent years, global warming has progressed, resulting in drastic climate change. The number of people suffering from heatstroke has also increased. Increasing resistance to heat is called heat acclimatization. By improving this acclimatization function, the body becomes less susceptible to heatstroke. People who are highly resistant to heat live in tropical regions. They have long limbs and a slender build. This body type is advantageous for heat dissipation. In other words, they are less susceptible to heatstroke. Young people in Japan these days are becoming more slender-limbed and slender throughout their torsos. With global warming now reaching Japan, the physiques of young people in Japan may be becoming more similar to those of tropical residents.
There are some interesting statistics regarding heatstroke. They compare the mortality rate per 100,000 elderly people according to the number of days of extreme heat. The results show that areas with a high number of solar panels installed have a lower mortality rate than areas with fewer solar panels. This research was conducted by Professor Uchida Mama of Nagoya City University and Senior Researcher Agi Hitoshi of the Asian Growth Institute. They found that increasing the number of residential solar panels installed reduces the number of elderly people who die from heatstroke. The reason for this is simple: even though some people have air conditioners in their rooms, they endure the heat by not using them in order to save on electricity bills. Survey results show that older generations in particular tend to refrain from using air conditioners due to a desire to save on electricity bills. The answer is that elderly people who do not use air conditioners have a higher mortality rate. On the other hand, elderly deaths decrease because they can run their air conditioners without worrying about electricity bills.
Economically disadvantaged people, such as those with low incomes, cannot use air conditioners, creating an “adaptation gap.” Even when “adaptation” technologies (such as air conditioners) that mitigate the negative effects are introduced, not everyone can use them. Where obstacles exist, there are those who remove them. In the Okitama region of southern Yamagata Prefecture, “Okitama New Power Company” was established, aiming to generate and consume renewable energy locally. Okitama New Power has also introduced a system that allows solar panels to be installed with zero initial investment. Okitama New Power covers the costs of installing the panels at businesses and private homes. As a bonus, the panels will be transferred to businesses and private homes free of charge after the contract period ends. Businesses and individuals that install solar panels will be able to generate and enjoy electricity sustainably. It is most efficient to use electricity generated locally. Promoting the local production and consumption of renewable energy will also lead to the creation of a circular, carbon-free society.
