2008 Year of Anti-Nuclear Struggle

bianet asked Ümit Sahin of the Turkish Greens to evaluate 2007 in terms of the environment and to list the agenda for 2008.

"Nuclear swamp" 

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.

Government has not changed attitude

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.”

Some positive developments 

On a positive note, Sahin said that there were some promising developments in 2007:

• In 28 April and 8 December, thousands of people followed the call of the Global Action Group and demonstrated, demanding that Turkey sign the Kyoto Protocol. There has thus been an increase in “activism spirit”.
• The “Turkey Sign Kyoto” campaign, which the Greens organised, was able to collect 100,000 signatures in three weeks, and 170,000 within two months. This indicates that particularly the younger generation is sensitive to environmental issues.
• The fact that the government has promised to become part of the Kyoto Protocol process in 2008 is promising. But it is difficult to understand why they are waiting. The government should immediately pass Kyoto in parliament and announce its targets for greenhouse gas emissions.
• It is positive that there have been many applications for licenses for wind power stations.

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)