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Global warming poses a serious threat to the quality of life in the 21st century. Taking Japan as an example, this book explains the anticipated impact of global warming on modern society-natural ecosystems; agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; water resources and environments; the infrastructure and socioeconomic system; and human health. The most recent scientific and technical information is presented by more than 30 prominent researchers who are assessing the potential impact of global warming on nature and society. The results of their research provide dramatic evidence of the urgency of the task faced by policy makers in responding to climate change. For scientists and government officials alike, this volume may be considered required reading.
List of contents
1 Climate Change Projections.- Summary.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Global-scale climate change projection.- 1.3 Climate change projections for Japan.- 1.4 Future subjects.- References.- 2 Impacts on Natural Ecosystems.- Summary.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Impacts on mountainous region.- 2.3 Impacts of global warming on grasslands in Japan.- 2.4 Desertification: Effects on Japan across national borders.- 2.5 Impacts on wetlands.- 2.6 Impacts on biodiversity and nature conservation areas.- References.- 3 Impacts on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.- Summary.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Importance and vulnerability.- 3.3 State-of-art in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries research sector.- 3.4 Future research needs.- References.- 4 Impacts on Hydrology / Water Resources and Water Environment.- Summary.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Hydrology and water resources.- 4.3 Freshwater ecosystem.- 4.4 Coastal and marine environment.- 4.5 Future research needs.- References ..- 5 Impacts on Infrastructure and Socioeconomic System.- Summary.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Present situation and problems regarding coastal zones, human settlements, social infrastructure, and industrial activities.- 5.3 Researches on vulnerability of coastal zones, human settlement, infrastructure, and industrial activities.- 5.4 Future research needs.- References.- 6 Impacts on Human Health.- Summary.- 6.1 Direct Impacts of global warming on human health in Japan.- 6.2 Impacts on vector-borne diseases.- 6.3 Impacts of warming on mortality.- References.- 7 Vulnerability of Japan to Climate Change.- Summary.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Vulnerability to extreme climate events in Japan.- 7.3 Impacts of global warming on environmental quality.- 7.4 Impact of hot summers in 1994 and 1995.- 7.5 Future research needs.- References.
