Geography and the environment:
Biodiversity & Cultural DiversityAs Japan’s culture has changed from a more traditional culture to a modern culture, biodiversity has suffered. Much has been done to stem the tide of effects of industrialization on biodiversity, and much more can be done. Long standing traditional farming and fishing methods changed to new faster and more efficient methods. People moved into the city to work in factories. The change in culture and lifestyles parallels the effects on biodiversity.
Japan has been producing rice since China introduced rice cultivation around 13,000-300BC ("Rice in Japan," ). However the overuse of agricultural chemicals and the introduction of foreign species to increase crop production has damaged the habitats of native species ("Protect Japan’s biodiversity," 2012). Another staple of the Japanese diet is fish; this is due to the fact that Japan is an island nation. However, the favored Pacific bluefin tuna that is used in sushi is being overfished. The number of Pacific bluefin tuna has dropped by 96%. A majority of the fish that are caught are young fish who haven’t reproduced. Due to the shortage of fish, the price of the tuna has gone up considerably to reflect the shortage. The tuna is sold to Asian markets and expensive Western restaurants for sushi lovers. Modern fishing practices have brought the tuna to near extinction. (Harvey, 2013). In a search for alternative fuels, studies were done to see if rice ethanol would be a viable fuel alternative in Japan. Scientists concluded that turning rice into fuel would affect the biodiversity too much. (Lu, Lin, Campbell, Sagisaka & Hai, 2012). In the modern world, Japan looked at other fuels to power its more industrialized cities. In an effort to power the increasingly technologically based industry, Japan built nuclear power plants. Unfortunately, a tsunami created a nuclear meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. All the nuclear power plants had to be shut down. One year after the initial devastation, scientists began looking into the effects on the wildlife in the area. Scientists particularly looked at the effects on the bird population, and are studying possible long term genetic changes in within it. Already scientists are seeing a 30% drop in the bird population. By studying the effects of radiation on birds, scientist hope to learn how nuclear accidents can affect plant, animal and human life (Little, 2012). Industrialization has created other problems both for people and the environment. Japan enacted laws for pollution control in 1967. Japan suffers from both air and water pollution. Japan now has acid rain from the toxic pollutants from power plants. Due to the increased carbon dioxide levels, people are suffering from bronchial problems, and there are nationwide smog alerts. Water pollution is yet another effect of the change to an industrial society. Industrial pollutants have increased acid levels in just about every type water available. Fortunately, Japan enacted Water Pollution Control Law of 1971. Japan saw the effects from the rapid industrialization on its country, and enacted the Nature Conservation Law of 1972. After the law was passed, large area were reforested, and land areas were protected under the National Parks System. However, the long standing tradition of whaling remained until countries like the United States put pressure on Japan to halt its whaling practices. Japan is working on the impact of its modern culture on biodiversity, but more can always be done. Overall, the effects of the pollution are widespread on biodiversity. Many plants and animals are now extinct, and many more are on the endangered list. ("Japan - environment," 2013). Biodiverity is part of Japan’s religious tradition. Thousands of people make pilgrimages to the Ise Shrine in the Sacred Ise Forest which contains large Cypres trees (Izumo," 2013). The pilgrimage would not be the same if the forest were gone due to the effects of industrialization. Japan suffers a great deal due to its own industrialization, not to mention the Allied powers bombing them. However, all of us can learn from them as we watch how they have slowed the pace of the effects on industrialization to earlier levels. If all countries can strive to protect biodiversity, the world would be a better place for us all. |
Citations:
Harvey, F. (2013, January 09). Overfishing causes pacific bluefin tuna numbers to drop 96%. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jan/09/overfishing-pacific-bluefin-tuna
Izumo Taisha (Izumo grand shrine). (2013). Retrieved March/22, 2013, from http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5804.html
Japan - environment. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Japan-ENVIRONMENT.html
Little, J. B. (2012, March 09). How has fukushima's nuclear disaster affected the environment?. Retrieved from http://www.audubonmagazine.org/articles/birds/how-has-fukushimas-nuclear-disaster-affected-environment
Lu, H., Lin, B. L., Campbell, D. E., Sagisaka, M., & Hai, R. (2012). Biofuel vs. biodiversity? integrated emergy and economic cost-benefit evaluation of rice-ethanol production in japan. Science Diet,46(1), 442-450. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544212006172
Protect Japan’s biodiversity. (2012, September 18). Retrieved from http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2012/09/18/editorials/protect-japans-biodiversity/
Rice in japan. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://irri.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11100:rice-in-japan&lang=e
Izumo Taisha (Izumo grand shrine). (2013). Retrieved March/22, 2013, from http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5804.html
Japan - environment. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Japan-ENVIRONMENT.html
Little, J. B. (2012, March 09). How has fukushima's nuclear disaster affected the environment?. Retrieved from http://www.audubonmagazine.org/articles/birds/how-has-fukushimas-nuclear-disaster-affected-environment
Lu, H., Lin, B. L., Campbell, D. E., Sagisaka, M., & Hai, R. (2012). Biofuel vs. biodiversity? integrated emergy and economic cost-benefit evaluation of rice-ethanol production in japan. Science Diet,46(1), 442-450. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544212006172
Protect Japan’s biodiversity. (2012, September 18). Retrieved from http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2012/09/18/editorials/protect-japans-biodiversity/
Rice in japan. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://irri.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11100:rice-in-japan&lang=e