bianet asked Ümit Sahin of the Turkish Greens to evaluate 2007 in terms of the environment and to list the agenda for 2008.
For Sahin, the most worrying development of 2007 was that “after seven years, people are trying to pull Turkey into the nuclear swamp again. “In addition, temporary Article 2 which encourages coal-powered thermal power stations is a scandal in terms of global warming and environmental health.”
Sahin is also worried by the increase in gold mining.
He added, “The fact that the Kyoto Protocol has still not been signed and that a third bridge in Istanbul is being discussed again, with all the threats it implies for Istanbul’s forests, is a frightening sign that the mentality of the government has not changed.”
On a positive note, Sahin said that there were some promising developments in 2007:
For Sahin, 2008 will be the year of struggle against nuclear power stations. The most important event will be an anti-nuclear demonstration on the 22nd anniversary of Chernobyl in Istanbul.
In addition, there will be more protests against thermal power stations, starting with the cities of Silopi, Aliaga, Bartin and Yatagan.
Finally, the movement is planning to form a Green Party, which, so Sahin, “will change a lot in the environmental movement.” (EZÖ/TK/AG)