Falling Snowfall in Hokkaido
NEXT July, in Hokkaido, Japan, a G8 meeting will take place. The summit will discuss the position of developed countries concerning the issue of climate change.
As the future site of the summit, Hokkaido itself has its own climate problem. Hokkaido is well-known as the coldest region in Japan, but nowadays the isle is not as cold as it used to be. It is suspected that this is caused by global warming
Last December, Arif A. Kuswardono from Tempo together with journalists from China and the Asia-Pacific were invited by the Japanese government to visit Japan. Here is their report on the problems of climate in Hokkaido.
April 1, 2008
THE snowflakes were flowing down, covering the streets of the City of Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido in white. Last December, the thickness of the snow did not reach its normal height. It should have been more than 50 centimeters. Hokkaido is the coldest area in Japan and people can enjoy skiing along the sidewalks. But now Hokkaido has changed.
Hokkaido Shimbun daily reported that the island is showing symptoms of global warming. "Yes, it is,
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