Report:
As an individual living in Istanbul, like every Istanbulite, I had a close relationship with mucilage last year. Among the wastes that have been ignored for a long time and the effects of the climate crisis – which has an undeniable human share – raising the temperature, the underwater life in the Sea of Marmara has received its share of this. However, that share should have been paid by the businesses that did not operate their treatment systems at full capacity and the units that inspected the businesses, not the marine creatures.
That’s life, sometimes those who were not involved in creating the problem can pay the price for what was done. As a girl who wanted to build her home under the sea in her childhood, I cannot help but question the problematic of Istanbul’s relationship with this marine culture. New methods must be tried urgently for the maritime culture that has not been established in Istanbul, which is a peninsula. The sea is not a background for our photographs, the sea is not a container for us to throw away garbage, it is a living space that hosts many species!
While 60 percent of a healthy adult human body is water, it is sad to observe the conflicting relationship some people have with water. With the Canal Istanbul project, “Let us be the ones to hinder Istanbul’s water issue.” The potential of both beaches and boats to create marine pollution on the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines during the summer months is thought-provoking. Of course, there are many thought-provoking things.
Again, one cannot help but think about the 60 caretta caretta babies who lost their lives last year due to the irresponsibility of a hotel in Belek, Antalya. It was heartbreaking to hear that they were stuck under the wooden walkway that stretches to the beach. Of course, there are also caretta carettas that were saved thanks to the efforts of volunteers and associations working on this issue. There were similar feelings from Patara, one of the most important cultural heritages of Turkey; the construction industry’s need for sand did not end, it could not. Metropolitan cities are already giant construction sites. I can say this specifically for Istanbul: these city dwellers have built their homes on the construction site. Sand, water, and cement, which are responsible for unconscious construction, will one day come and take over you. Forget about aliens and some paranormal approaches.
“What is it that you cannot get or lose with this water?” I used to ask a lot. Afterwards, I found some answers for myself, and I continue to find new answers with each event. As a result of my answers, I bring up the following items:
– We should know that water has many positive effects other than its uses such as feeding, sheltering, and hygiene.
– Let’s remember that not only us as humans but also most of the world were created from water. Therefore, we can say that we have a kind of close kinship with the world.
– Seas, oceans, lakes, and rivers are the home of many species.
– Currents and winds are also related to maintaining the world’s water balance.
– If we are talking about biodiversity, yes, water is with us again.
– There are not only our tree friends but also many oxygen producers underwater. Yes, we need water to breathe.
It would be good to expand on the last item a little. Seas, oceans, lakes, and rivers, which are home to many species, are losing their acid-base balance day by day. When the balance is disrupted, the living conditions of all species are affected. From those around you, “What will happen if I do it, since the majority don’t care?” If you hear approaches such as this, please remind them that change starts with ourselves. Everything defined as small has the potential to give birth to the biggest. My experience has shown me this. By the way, some of the creatures in the sea are not from the group that consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide like humans. Phytoplankton and marine plants produce most of the world’s oxygen. In other words, the biggest supporters of terrestrial plants are from underwater, which we do not see much.
The ingredients are so delicious that you can multiply them! Because this ecosystem of the world cannot survive without water. If we are talking about life, we need some seriousness and discipline as well as fun.
ESG Risks:
– Marine pollution
– Insufficient treatment system operation by businesses
– Irresponsible practices leading to the death of marine creatures
– Construction industry’s impact on natural habitats and sand extraction
– Loss of biodiversity in seas, oceans, lakes, and rivers
– Disruption of the acid-base balance in water bodies
Vulnerable Groups:
– Marine creatures and underwater species
Organisations:
– Businesses that did not operate their treatment systems at full capacity
– Inspection units responsible for monitoring businesses
– Hotels and construction companies
– Volunteers and associations working on marine conservation
Sectors:
– Tourism and hospitality industry
– Construction industry
– Environmental conservation
Keywords:
– Mucilage
– Climate crisis
– Sea of Marmara
– Istanbul’s relationship with marine culture
– Canal Istanbul project
– Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines
– Caretta caretta babies
– Beach pollution
– Sand extraction
– Acid-base balance
– Biodiversity
– Marine pollution
– Phytoplankton
– Oxygen producers
– Water conservation