Precis 9: How nuclear disaster forced Japan to be frugal with energy

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2011/may/12/nuclear-japan-frugal-energy

• a shortfall - the difference between the amount you have and the amount you need or expect , eg. Parents have been asked to pay £30 each to cover the shortfall in the budget. An estimated shortfall of about £1 million

• sustained - continuing for a long time, eg. A period of sustained economic development. A sustained attack on the government

• considerable - fairly large, especially large enough to have an effect or be important, eg. We've saved a considerable amount of money. Michael has already spent considerable time in Barcelona.

• frugal - careful to buy only what is necessary [≠extravagant], eg. As children we were taught to be frugal and hard-working. He led a remarkably frugal existence.

• blazing - 1 extremely hot, eg.a blazing August afternoon. 2. full of strong emotions, especially anger, eg.He jumped to his feet in a blazing fury.

• a grid – 1. a metal frame with bars across it. 2. the network of electricity supply wires that connects power stations and provides electricity to buildings in an area, eg. the national grid (=the electricity supply in a country)

• a livelihood - the way you earn money in order to live, eg. Fishing is the main source of livelihood for many people in the area. It's difficult to earn a livelihood as an artist.

• reluctant - slow and unwilling, eg. She gave a reluctant smile. Maddox was reluctant to talk about it. 

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After Fukushima power plant explosion it was decided not to build more nuclear reactors in Japan. Prime Minister Naoto Kan says that supply of electricity can be sustained by investing more in renewables. Japanese were also asked to use less power and they are doing so. The frugal actions, such as limiting the use of elevators and escalators in shopping malls have been implemented. Neon signs and restaurant lights have been dimmed. Convenience stores are close late at night. Ordinary people also started to save the electricity by changing their bad habits of living the lights or TV in the empty rooms or over-using the heating system. It is hoped that people will be continuing this kind of actions. In Fukushima, many people have turned against nuclear power, which has ruined their livelihoods. However, renewables might make up the gap. On the other hand, that will need time, land and money that Japan will struggle to find after a disaster and an economic crisis. Looking at Japanese difficult situation, we should all start to think of how much electricity is wasted on the daily basis and what we can do to change it.