Experts drawing attention to increasing environmental pollution in holiday regions emphasize the need to widespread environmental awareness.
Evaluating the short- and long-term effects of increasing environmental pollution during holiday periods on local ecosystems and society, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş said, “Damage to the environment can, in the long run, again cause tourism activities to be disrupted.”
Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş, Assistant Director of the Institute of Health Sciences at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO), evaluated the issue of increasing environmental pollution and environmental awareness during holiday periods.
More waste is generated in coastal and open areas than usual
Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş, pointing out the main reasons for the increase in environmental pollution during holiday periods, said, “In certain cities, we observe a higher density than usual for holidays. Due to the increasing number of people, the occupancy rate on beaches increases, and there is also an increase in outdoor activities such as picnics. As the time spent on beaches and open areas extends, more waste is generated than usual. As a result of the generated density, in addition to the increase in solid waste, water and soil pollution can also occur. Increased vehicle traffic can also lead to air pollution due to carbon dioxide emissions.”
Uncontrolled waste leads to an increase in flies
Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş stated that during the last holiday in Bodrum, due to the intense crowd, the amount of waste in open areas and on beaches increased by 33%, causing visual pollution and increasing the risk of diseases in the region. She added, “Uncontrolled waste can lead to an increase in flies. Uncovered waste can create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and leachate from waste can pollute the soil and water resources. Various infectious diseases originating from waste and leachate, such as malaria, can occur.”
Waste should not be left next to full containers
Stating that waste should be collected in strong nylon bags, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş said, “Due to the high density, waste should not be left next to full containers, and it should be ensured that waste is taken to empty containers. Waste should be collected in strong nylon bags, and the bags’ mouths should be tightly sealed. The quantity and volume of waste should be reduced. Food items that generate less waste should be chosen, the amount of organic waste should be reduced, and waste should be compressed and put into bags to reduce its volume. To implement these measures, environmental awareness should be widespread among individuals, and information about the potential negative consequences of environmental pollution should be provided. Especially in holiday resorts, warning signs and notices related to the environment should be increased, and people’s attention should be drawn to this issue.”
Leachate harms soil structure
Evaluating the short- and long-term effects of increasing environmental pollution during holiday periods on local ecosystems and society, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş said, “Natural and artificial environments are among the primary complementary factors required for tourism activities to continue healthily. Damage to the natural and artificial environment can, in the long run, again cause tourism activities to be disrupted. Water pollution occurs due to leachate from waste randomly left in the environment reaching the ecosystem. Pollution in water, in turn, threatens living organisms. When leachate reaches the soil, it can damage the soil structure, reduce its fertility, harm vegetation, and cause soil contamination. With the increase in tourism activities in certain cities and periods, air quality can decrease, and as a result of all this increasing environmental pollution, the health of people living in the region can be negatively affected.”
Treatment plants are insufficient for increasing wastewater amounts
Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş also noted that while tourism activities are responsible for only a portion of increasing carbon dioxide emissions, they can lead to negative consequences such as ozone layer depletion, increased greenhouse gas effect, and global warming. She stated, “With regional concentration in summer months, wastewater treatment plants can become insufficient due to increasing amounts of wastewater. Wastewater needs to be treated to protect the environment and human health. In regions where natural water resources are limited, there is also a risk of depletion of wetlands due to the use of groundwater.”
What is aimed with sustainable tourism?
Stating that sustainable tourism aims to prevent environmental degradation and protect the quality of natural resources, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş said, “With sustainable tourism, biodiversity is protected, water consumption and waste generation are reduced, and efficient use of energy is ensured by adopting public transport or nature-friendly transportation methods.”
Local residents and tourists should be informed about the environment
Emphasizing the need to inform local residents and tourists about the environment, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş concluded, “By paying attention to the spread of tourism activities across different regions and times, potential negative impacts should be minimized. Additionally, by preventing excessive consumption and waste generation, costs that may arise from potential environmental damage should be avoided. Plastic waste on beaches can be recycled to produce healthy and durable textile products. Individually, for sustainable tourism, using beach towels made from recycled materials is one of the measures that can reduce waste generation. For holidays, environmentally friendly hotels and institutions with a sustainability consciousness can be preferred.”