Expanded "Cool-Sharing" Campaign in Japan Helped Save Energy in Summer 2012

In summer 2012, the idea of "cool sharing" gained popularity amid growing awareness about the need for saving energy since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant in 2011. The "cool-sharing" campaign calls on people and businesses to share their cool places with other people to reduce the use of individual air conditioners. It is expected to reduce overall electricity consumption as well as ward off incidents of heat stroke among residents.

In this campaign, local governments across Japan play a leading part in designating cool and comfortable places within neighborhoods. The designated places include public facilities such as libraries, art galleries, and other places with the cooperation of stores and businesses. This attempt aims to achieve both energy saving and countermeasures for incidents of heat stroke by offering people to spend time temporarily in cool places during the hottest hours of the day.

The designated places put up banners or signs to attract attention and offer services such as cold drinks to encourage people who tend to stay home, including child-rearing mothers and elderly people, to visit the cool places.

Originally developed by students at Tama Art University, the "cool-sharing" idea is part of the "Super Cool Biz" campaign that the Ministry of the Environment is advocating. Tama University operates a website dedicated exclusively to the "cool-sharing" campaign, aiming to further expand the activities by exhibiting maps to help people in locating participating cool-sharing places.

Related JFS article:
Japan's MOE Promoting 'Super Cool Biz' Campaign for 2012 to Help Save Energy
75,000 Barbershops across Japan Become 'Cool Biz Barbershops' by Setting A/C Temperature at 28C