Threat to Lebanon's Symbol of Survival

"Envronmentalists are concerned that climate change could affect Lebanon's emblematic cedar trees"
Cedar trees have important symbolic value in Labanese culture. Throughout the country's history they have been prized for their wood and resin as well as for their metaphorical value, inspiring poets such as Kahlil Gibran (author of The Prophet) to use them as a symbol of strength, fertility, continuity and the feeling that the human being is eternal(due to the fact that cedars live up to 3,000 years). The national reverance for the Cedar tree is easily observed since a picture of the tree can be found on Lebanon's stamps, money and flag.
Today, most of the Cedar trees are governmentally protected in nature preserves, but they are now under a new threat posed by climate change. With a decrease in snow, the natural regeneration of the trees can be affected, and because ofthe warmer tempuratures, there is a higher likelyhood of diseases and insect infections. Also, many of the trees do not live very far above sea level, so rising sea levels may too create a problem. To combact these climate issues, the national nature reserves have started a project during which 100,000 seedlings will be planted.
I think this article is very interesting from a sociological perspective. It illustrates how a global problem (global climate change) can have an effect on a national cultural symbol; something one might not have thought of before. Obviously, global warming is caused by the whole of humanity and we are all experiencing it, but we are not all experiencing it in thesame way. I can have sympathy and empathize with Lebanon's stress over their Cedar trees, but I cannot thoroughly feel what they are going through becuase I do not have the deep experience of their culture that could probably only be gained from growing up there.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7583757.stm