Pointing out that different regions of the world face different environmental problems, Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller, Head of the Environmental Health Program at Üsküdar University, stated, “In industrial regions and densely populated cities, air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination caused by poor waste management are seen extensively, while at the same time climate change is putting natural resources such as water and soil under great pressure.”
Asst. Prof. Adiller emphasized that the improper management of waste generated from plastic consumption has led to the formation of plastic waste islands in the oceans that are larger than the land area of Türkiye. “Research has shown that microplastic residues can even be found in our blood,” he said.
Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller, Head of the Environmental Health Program at Üsküdar University, explained the environmental risks that the world is facing.
Environmental health remains a critical and sensitive issue
Although environmental health has been on the global agenda for many years and scientific and technological developments have increased our knowledge in this field, Asst. Prof. Adiller noted that it still remains a crucial and sensitive issue. “Today, despite advances in wastewater treatment, water disinfection, waste management, and pollution monitoring technologies, many systems are struggling to cope with the increasing amount of waste resulting from population growth and industrial production,” he said.
Current problems: air, water, and soil pollution
Emphasizing the different environmental challenges seen across regions, Asst. Prof. Adiller stated, “In industrial areas and densely populated cities, air, water, and soil pollution caused by poor waste management are widespread, while climate change continues to exert pressure on natural resources such as water and soil.”
Environmental pollution can cause serious health problems
Evaluating the effects of environmental pollution on human health, Asst. Prof. Adiller continued, “All types of pollution have both short- and long-term effects, as well as direct and indirect impacts. Some pollutants found in air, water, or soil may cause short-term health issues, while others manifest over time and lead to serious health problems. Moreover, pollution that appears in one environmental component often triggers degradation in another, leading to unexpected consequences. For instance, plants irrigated with contaminated water containing harmful substances can pose a food safety risk.”
Producing a single pair of jeans consumes 3,781 liters of water
Referring to the measures individuals can take in daily life, Asst. Prof. Adiller said, “Individuals should first take measures in their daily lives to protect environmental health. Although consumers may not directly pollute the environment, by purchasing products from polluting manufacturers or through excessive consumption, they indirectly contribute to environmental degradation. Therefore, every consumer should be aware that any product they purchase, no matter how harmless it may seem, has an environmental cost in its production process. Even if waste from production is managed properly, every production process leaves an ecological footprint due to resource use. One of the most striking examples is water consumption. According to data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), producing a single pair of jeans requires 3,781 liters of water. Considering the current global water scarcity, we can understand how critical this is for our lives,” he said.
Türkiye is rapidly becoming a “water-poor” country
Drawing attention to water scarcity, Asst. Prof. Adiller continued, “Water is one of the most essential needs for all living beings, and unfortunately, this vital resource is diminishing in our country and region due to the effects of climate change. The Middle East and Mediterranean countries are among those most affected by climate change. When evaluated in terms of water resources, our country falls into the category of water-stressed nations and is rapidly moving toward becoming water-poor. At this point, it is our responsibility to reduce both direct and indirect water consumption. When people think of water conservation, the first thing that comes to mind is usually turning off the tap while brushing their teeth. However, this provides only minimal savings. Water consumption can be classified as direct and indirect. Direct water use refers to the water consumed from the tap for daily needs, while indirect water use refers to the water used during the production processes of all the goods and services we consume. In large cities today, an individual’s direct daily water use is approximately 200 liters, while their average daily indirect consumption can exceed 4,000 liters. For example, more than 12,000 liters of water are used in the production process of a single smartphone. From this perspective, changing consumption habits can result in saving millions of liters of water each year.”
Energy conservation is also a key element in protecting nature
Addressing the importance of energy conservation, Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller, Lecturer in the Environmental Health Program, stated:“Energy conservation is likewise a crucial factor in protecting nature and ensuring sustainability. Although many countries around the world are investing in renewable energy, a significant portion of today’s energy is still produced using fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal. Regardless of the precautions taken, the cost of energy produced from fossil fuels is air pollution, carbon emissions, and even acid rain. The consequences of diseases caused by air pollution, the climate change intensified by increased carbon emissions, and the loss of agricultural productivity due to acid rain are severe both ecologically and in terms of public health. In addition, reversing these impacts brings significant economic costs.”
Studies show that microplastic residues are even present in our blood
Highlighting the role of individual responsibility in waste management, Asst. Prof. Adiller said, “Nothing on Earth is limitless, and no material disappears instantly. Most raw materials used in production are extracted from nature in different ways, and these natural resources exist only in limited reserves. Therefore, recycling products after their lifespan ends helps reduce the need for raw material extraction, protecting natural reserves and preventing the pollution risks that may arise during resource extraction. When such products are not recycled and instead become waste, they pose a serious threat to environmental health. In scenarios where waste is not recycled, it is either burned, that is, polluting the atmosphere, or buried underground, where it remains for decades without decomposing. Mismanagement can make matters worse, as such waste may seep into water and soil, causing further harm to the environment and living beings. For instance, due to improper management of plastic waste, plastic islands larger than the surface area of our country have formed in the oceans. Moreover, studies have shown that microplastic residues can even be found in our blood,” he said.
The state and society must work hand in hand
Emphasizing the crucial role of governments and local authorities in protecting environmental health, Asst. Prof. Adiller stated, “The environmental crisis we now face can only be overcome through a comprehensive environmental approach that involves full participation from the state, local administrations, and the public. The first responsibility of both the government and local authorities is to ensure that public and private institutions adopt fully eco-friendly practices. To achieve this, experts in the field should be employed where necessary, and the employment of environmental engineers and environmental health technicians in sustainability and environmental protection position, both in the public and private sectors, should be increased. This would strengthen awareness and effectiveness nationwide. Furthermore, efforts to raise citizens’ environmental awareness and ecological literacy should be actively supported.”
Let’s not wait for the future to bring solutions
Asst. Prof. Adiller concluded his remarks by saying, “Although air, water, and soil pollution are considered the main environmental problems, their impacts extend into all areas of life, creating serious environmental, economic, and social challenges. Polluting our water sources during times of water stress will turn us into a water-poor country. Contaminating our water and soil jeopardizes food safety in the short term and, in the long term, harms soil resources, reduces agricultural productivity, and can lead to famine. Many environmental disasters that have occurred in other countries in the past could also happen in our country and region. We should not wait for the future to bring solutions. It is not only about leaving a clean environment for future generations, even the current generation may soon face severe environmental risks. Therefore, we must not wait even for tomorrow; we need to start taking action today.”