Job Discussion Forums

[Laura777]

Just curious if any of the posters here are members. I want to become more proactive here in Istanbul regarding environmental issues. Really tired of seeing all the garbage and disregard here concerning the environment. See a great need to try to educate people and help this planet in any way possible.

Any thoughts out there?

[dmb]

I often see Greenpeace people in the pedestrianised street near the fishmarket in Besiktas. you can contact them here.

http://www.greenpeace.org/mediterranean/

[yaramaz]

Does greenpeace actually do anything in Istanbul aside from blockading the stretch of Istiklal by the lise with canvassers? I support what they do internationally but am getting very tired of being asked to join twice a day when I walk to and from work. I've never actually seen any actual practical, productive presence in Turkey, just the fund raising. Is there anything? I'd go for it. The only people I've seen recycling have been the gypsies.

[yaramaz]

Aliens? Beggars? Sales associates? Minions? Fund raisers? Lobsters?

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

Greenies?

(Was that part of schoolboy's vocab internationally?)

[Laura777]

The group doesnt have to be Greenpeace... Any groups which promote environmental consciousness to protect this planet.

There needs to be and this is not a joke but there must be more awareness of the problems we all share on this place we call home.

Yes they harrass and bother us but they are trying to accomplish something, trying to stop pollution or destruction or our natural wonders...

I was a member in the states but have not been active...for sometime.

I really want to do something and not just talk. I have dreams about mass destruction of the forests and pollution to the oceans and rivers that cant be changed. I want to change something.

...

[dmb]

[Laura777]

Thats a start. The only reason I am feeling like this because it seems to me that if enough people would pull together with the same feelings and try to motivate this kind of behavior we can have an effect and make a difference.

I too am tired of people who just litter. And I am not innocent of doing just that...

But I want to make a change. If only with my students attitudes and way of living. Even a small slight effect like a ripple on the lake. It will reverberate ...

Its a dream maybe.

[dmb]

I think the change you are talking about has to come from the top. I know when I go back to Edinburgh Monday is the day your plastic rubbish is picked up, Tuesday it is glass, wednesday it is paper, etc. And you have to do it. You have to seperate your rubbish. Can you see it happening here? I doubt it in the forseeable future. Anyway household garbage is only about 1/2 % of all pollution. The main contributors are big business. remember Bhopal?
Union Carbide, quite legally, liquidated a large portion of its assets in the form of shareholders' dividends, and so reducing the company's compensatory liability to its 200,000 victims. Chernobyl? Exxon Valdez?

What about all the chemical garbage in Tuzla that was polluting the water supplies a few months ago? Anyone know what happened? Politicians and big business have to change.

I'll stick to changing my boxers and tv station- I'll have more success.

[Laura777]

The chemical pharmaceutical companies that were polluting the watershed in Tuzla were left off with a warning and an admonition, since they did not fall under the current clean water act here because they had polluted the water supplies before the current laws were in effect. - which as we know is a crock of sh$t. I am sure that they put the money in the right pockets and everything was quiety washed away for the time being.

If I am remembering my news correctly.

Yes of course big business must be held accountable.

However people of all sectors need to be educated that they effect everything in the food chain. That the garbage does not miraculously disappear never to be seen again. Or that its okay to leave the water running for so long, or flush the toilet over and over. Or to use papertowels for every thing. Yes I know it seems impossible. But it all starts with education.

[dmb]

[dagi]

It's not just about the garbage. Start to explain people that turning the heating down is as effective as having it full-on and then opening the window when it gets too hot.
I don't even want to think about all the wasted energy in Istanbul when people heat their flats that way. Turn the heating down, only heat when you are at home and don't heat rooms you don't use. A novelty around here. They rather like to complain about the bill....

[mongrelcat]

[dmb]

No, it has to start at the top. There have to be laws introduced and enforced. I want to be green and recycle, Can I? No. I once saw a bottle bank in Mecidiyekoy... about 10 years ago when I lived there. Am I going to travel half way across Istanbul to deposit my empty bottles of Efes? No.

Maybe supermarkets should start to have drop off points(would the gypsies raid them?)

But yes, education is important.

I know some schools are involved in MUN but only a few expensive private schools. All kids(and adults) should be educated..... but remember the Road Canavar campaign to encourage people to drive slower? THat worked

[Laura777]

Ok. It has to be introduced at all levels. Children, Teenagers, Adults, all corporations. There has to be some incentive to persuade people to WANT to participate. Even if its only in small increments. Then do it!

Since I came here I have observed how people behave. Alot of what drives people is the need to survive and make it on a measely 400ytl per month. Or less. The standards are not equal and all this is another matter.

But if it takes one person picking up litter. Or commenting on how we need to save fuel because there is not so much or the cost and how it effects on a personal level. Then it needs to be done. Awareness. Teaching children to turn off the water. To pick up after themselves. To not waste. Teaching all levels, all ages to be conscious of this planet and how each one of us effects this earth postively and negatively.

I also have picked up the garbage in the yard by my house. And taken it to the bin. And have seen people going through the garbage to pick up cans etc. But they did the same in the U.S. They need to do that to survive.

Yes there is the need for more recycling facilities and somekind of incentive to make people go there.

Its always countries with a lower standard of living that have the least amount of awareness to live in a way that protects our environment. Because they have other things to be more concerned about. But if they can find a way to change I think they might try.

Even if its just giving them some money per kilo for certain kinds of recycled garbage. Also did you know that the dog pounds here in Istanbul collect old newspapers and use them for their dogs? Thats a positive use for your old newspapers. Instead of throwing them in the trash...