Who Keeps the Lights On? — Trapped Between Decarbonization and Reality

Chapter 1: “The Electric Bill’s Up Again!” Says My Wife

So the other day, my wife looked at the electric bill and snapped, “It’s gone up again!” Then she turned to me and asked, “Is this because of those SDGs?” I couldn’t even answer.

And yet, whenever the TV says “Toward a carbon-free society,” she nods along, “That’s important.” …Well, here we are again—the gap between noble words and daily life.

Chapter 2: Is CO₂ Really the Villain?

Let’s start at the basics. We’re told rising CO₂ is heating the planet. But how much of that is settled science?

Much of the climate data goes back only a few centuries—a mere blink in Earth’s history. Predictions range wildly: “two degrees by 2100,” “maybe four.” No one really knows.

Even if Japan went carbon-zero tomorrow, it would cut only about 3% of global emissions. That’s a drop in the bucket.

Meanwhile, China—the world’s biggest emitter—is building new coal plants by the dozen. And here we are in Japan, sweating through summer with the AC off. Fair trade-off? I don’t think so.

Chapter 3: Are Renewables an Ideal or an Illusion?

Renewables like solar and wind are touted as the “perfect energy source.” But here’s what no one says out loud: they always need backup.

If the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow, there’s no power. So we keep fossil and nuclear plants on standby. That means double costs—twice the infrastructure, twice the bills.

And it shows. My wife sighed, “Renewables sure are pricey.” Of course they are. Ideals always drag their shadow—reality—right behind them.

Chapter 4: The Nuclear Taboo and Avoiding the Obvious

Nuclear power? We can’t even talk about it. Sure, the Fukushima disaster is still fresh. But refusing even to discuss nuclear energy—that’s going too far.

We want to phase out carbon, say no to nuclear, cut fossil fuels, and somehow still have cheap, stable electricity? That’s not policy—that’s fantasy.

My wife said, “Blackouts would be terrible.” Exactly. Avoiding that requires hard choices. You can’t say “No nukes, no carbon, and cheap power please” and expect it all to work out.

Chapter 5: Feel-Good Politics and the Subsidy Addiction

Today’s politics are full of feel-good phrases: “clean energy,” “green growth,” “decarbonization support.” Sounds great—until you see the money trail.

Subsidies for solar installations, cozy ties between contractors and politicians… all wrapped in the warm blanket of “saving the planet.” That’s not policy—that’s the SDG gravy train.

And because it’s all under the name of justice, no one dares question it. Anyone who does is branded “anti-earth.” But really—on a planetary scale, Japan’s efforts are barely a blip. Nature might just shrug and say, “You done yet?”

Heck, burning the remains of prehistoric creatures and sending their carbon back into the air… maybe the Earth is just getting its cycle completed.

Chapter 6: The Real Responsibility Behind the Light Switch

Energy policy, in the end, comes down to this: Who takes responsibility for keeping the lights on?

Safe, cheap, stable—how do we balance all three? That’s not a question for bureaucrats and lobbyists alone. It’s a job for politics.

When my wife says, “The electric bill’s up again,” she’s really voicing anxiety, frustration, and a cry for clarity. And ensuring that light stays on—that, to me, is what real politics is all about.

Is “decarbonization” necessary? Maybe. But maybe it’s just one of many tools, not the ultimate goal.

We need to shine a light on the illusions that lie between ideals and reality—and then, really keep the lights on. That’s the responsibility of politics, plain and simple.