I am Yoshida, president of Yamada Shusei Ltd., a professional apparel garment repair group in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture.
Recently, it is not unusual for the thermometer near the company entrance to read 36°C. The summer of 2023 will bring record-breaking high temperatures and heavy rainfall not only in Japan but also in many parts of the world, which will have a significant impact on people's lives and the economy.
These abnormal weather events are mainly caused by global warming due to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
The following are some of the measures that can be taken to reduce global warming.
1) Reducing the use of fossil fuels and switching to renewable energy sources
2) Protecting the natural environment, such as forests and soil, and using them as sinks for carbon dioxide
3) Developing new technologies and innovations to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
However, these measures cannot be taken by one country or one company alone; international cooperation and collaboration are essential, and support and opportunities must be provided equitably to poor countries and vulnerable populations.
Thus, efforts to address climate change must be considered from the perspectives of collaboration and co-creation with diverse stakeholders, social responsibility, and sustainability.
These are also important factors in company management.
The first step for company management is to understand how their business and products affect and are affected by climate change. They must then develop and implement strategies and actions that benefit not only their company, but society as a whole.
Climate change is a crisis, but it is also an opportunity. If we can identify new markets and needs and create value, we can increase our competitiveness and growth. To do this, we must be willing to cooperate not only with ourselves but also with others.
Extreme weather conditions are sounding alarm bells for us. I believe that listening to them and acting on them is an important lesson for future company management.
