POTENTIAL OF ACHIEVING THE ENVIRONMENTALLY BALANCED AREA BY LIFESTYLE IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

 Because decentralization is progressing, local governments and residents should take mutually cooperative actions to achieve an accurate resolution of global environment is-sues. A new system considering individual consciousness is necessary, providing incen-tives both to governments and residents to improve environmental management. For this study, a questionnaire survey was administered in Ibaraki Prefecture. Based on the survey results, the influence on the environmental balance of local governments by changing lifestyles was revealed in the environmentally balanced areas concept. Results show the following: 1) Larger urban scales are associated with less environmental load and environmental capacity. 2) Although homemakers show a higher potential for raising the food self-sufficiency rate, the potential for reduced transportation and household energy consumption are higher for employed middle-aged people. 3) Scenario analysis reveals that areas with environmental balance are expected to shrink. Areas achieving the target values will increase.