What's an Island without Trees?

After hearing the last presentation in our class about extinction of species, I found an article that piqued my interest. While the article itself does not discuss bringing back these species, I thought it kind of related to the presentation because of the way the damage is being done.

On a small island in Japan, known as Yakushima, trees are dying. Dr. Osamu Nagafuchi believes that these trees are dying out because of air pollution from China coming to the island. He has had a lot of trouble gaining support for this theory for years, but people are starting to believe him more and more as China has been issuing public health warnings in the cities recently, which in turn, makes Japanese more concerned that this could start to take an even bigger toll on their land.

Here is a picture so you can see where it is 

in relation to Japanese cities. 

Continued exposure could start to affect citizens' health, livelihood, and put a major blow to the economy, as ecotourism is extremely popular on the island. It's a really pressing issue because it's affecting a certain type of pine tree that only grows on this island and one other. People are starting to become very afraid because even if Dr. Nagafuchi is right, the government will probably not be able to do much to prevent it. It's up to China to take responsibility for the damage done. 

Dr. Nagafuchi taking air samples on a mountainside

in Yakushima

So why should we care about Japan's problems? Well, to put it simply, we need to follow their example. We have a responsibility to take care of our planet. We can't have a situation like this happen because it will only escalate into full-scale mayhem worldwide. 

Article/photo cred: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/world/asia/japanese-scientist-blames-china-for-yakushimas-dying-trees.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&ref=science

Photo cred: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~hn7y-mur/mononoke/monolink10e.htm