Pointing out that different environmental problems manifest in different regions today, Dr. Ahmet Adiller, Head of the Environmental Health Program, said, “While air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution caused by improper waste management are intensely observed in industrial areas and densely populated cities, climate change, on the other hand, puts pressure on natural resources such as water and soil.”
Dr. Adiller noted that the improper management of waste resulting from plastic consumption today has led to the formation of plastic waste islands larger than our country's surface area in the oceans. He added, “Studies show that even in our blood, there are micro-sized plastic residues.”
Dr. Ahmet Adiller, Head of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Environmental Health Program, explained the environmental risks awaiting the world.
Environmental health is an important and sensitive issue!
Dr. Ahmet Adiller noted that despite environmental health being on the agenda for many years and our knowledge in this area increasing thanks to many scientific and technological developments, it still remains an important and sensitive issue. He said, “Many areas, from wastewater treatment to water disinfection, waste management to pollution monitoring technologies, have shown significant development, but unfortunately, they struggle to cope with population growth and the numerous wastes generated from production processes.”
Current problems: air, water, and soil pollution…
Dr. Adiller, pointing out that different environmental problems manifest in different regions today, stated, “While air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution caused by improper waste management are intensely observed in industrial areas and densely populated cities, climate change, on the other hand, puts pressure on natural resources such as water and soil.”
Environmental pollution can lead to serious health problems!
Dr. Ahmet Adiller, evaluating the effects of environmental pollution on human health, continued:
“Actually, every type of environmental pollution has short-term and long-term effects, as well as direct and indirect impacts. While some pollutants found in air, water, or soil create short-term health problems, others manifest over a long period, leading to serious health issues. Furthermore, pollution appearing in one environmental component can cause degradation in another, leading to unexpected outcomes. For example, plants irrigated with water containing harmful substances can pose a food safety risk.”
3,781 liters of water are consumed in the production of one pair of jeans
Dr. Ahmet Adiller, also pointing out the measures individuals can take in daily life, said, “Individuals should primarily take measures to protect environmental health in their daily lives. Because even though consumers do not directly pollute the environment, they contribute to environmental pollution through products they buy from polluting manufacturers or with the waste generated from their excessive consumption. For this reason, every consumer should be aware that the production process of any product they purchase - no matter how innocent it may seem - harms the environment. Because no matter how correctly waste generated during the production process is managed, every production process leaves a trace of waste or used natural resources in the environment. One of the most important examples of this is water consumption. For instance, according to data from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), 3,781 liters of water are consumed in the production of one pair of jeans. In these days when we are experiencing water scarcity, we can guess how important this actually is for our lives.”
Turkey is rapidly moving towards becoming a “water-poor” country
Dr. Adiller, drawing attention to water scarcity, continued as follows:
“Water is one of the most fundamental needs for all life. And this critically important need is unfortunately decreasing in our country and our region due to the effects of climate change. Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries are among those most affected by climate change. When evaluated in terms of water resources, our country is in the category of water-stressed countries and is rapidly moving towards becoming a water-poor country. At this point, it is our responsibility to try to reduce the amount of water we use directly and indirectly. Generally, when water saving is mentioned, the suggestion to turn off the tap while brushing teeth comes to mind. However, this suggestion provides very limited savings. The water we use individually is divided into 2 categories: direct and indirect use. The water we use directly describes the water we consume from our tap for our daily needs. The water we use indirectly refers to the amount of water spent for the production processes of all our needs. Today, the direct water consumption of a person living in a large city is roughly 200 liters per day. However, the average daily indirect water consumption of the same person can be over 4,000 liters. For example, more than 12,000 liters of water are consumed in the production processes of a smartphone you purchase. From this perspective, changing consumption habits can lead to savings of millions of liters of water annually.”
Energy saving is also an important element in nature conservation
Dr. Ahmet Adiller, also referring to energy saving, said the following:
“Energy saving is similarly another important element in nature conservation and sustainability. Although renewable energy investments are made in many countries around the world, today, a significant portion of energy is still produced with the help of fossil resources such as natural gas or coal. The cost of this energy produced with the help of fossil fuels, no matter how many precautions are taken, results in air pollution, carbon emissions, and even acid rain. The cost of diseases arising from air pollution, climate change whose effects are increased by the rise in carbon emissions, and agricultural yield loss caused by acid rain is immense ecologically and in terms of public health. Furthermore, economic costs are paid to reverse this situation.”
Studies show that even in our blood, there are micro-sized plastic residues
Dr. Ahmet Adiller, drawing attention to the responsibility of individuals in waste management, said, “No substance in our world is limitless. Furthermore, a substance does not disappear instantly. Many raw materials used in production processes are obtained from nature in different ways, and these materials obtained from nature have a reserve quantity. At this point, recycling products after they have completed their useful life reduces the amount of raw materials taken from nature, both preserving these reserves and eliminating the pollution risks that may arise during the processes of obtaining these reserves from nature. Moreover, not recycling these products and letting them become waste creates a serious environmental health problem. In every scenario where waste is not recycled, these wastes will either be burned and mix into the atmosphere or remain undisturbed underground for many years. Worse management will lead to these wastes mixing with waters and soil, causing further harm to the environment and living beings. To give an example, the improper management of waste resulting from plastic consumption today has led to the formation of plastic waste islands in the oceans larger than our country's surface area. Furthermore, studies show that even in our blood, there are micro-sized plastic residues.”
State and society must work hand in hand
Dr. Ahmet Adiller, also addressing the priority steps for governments and local administrations in protecting environmental health, stated, “The environmental catastrophe we are on the brink of today is only possible if the state, local government, and the public adopt a fully participatory environmental approach. First and foremost, the primary duty of the state and local governments is to ensure a complete environmental approach is demonstrated in public and private institutions. While ensuring this environmental approach, employing experts in the field where necessary, especially increasing the employment of environmental engineers and environmental health technicians in positions related to sustainability and environmental protection in the public and private sectors, will increase awareness and functionality on this issue nationwide. Furthermore, it is necessary to support efforts to raise citizens' environmental awareness and ecological literacy levels.”
Let's not wait for the future for a solution!
Dr. Ahmet Adiller concluded his words by saying, “Although air, water, and soil pollution are seen as fundamental environmental problems, the reflection of these problems in every aspect of life creates many serious environmental, existential, economic, and sociological issues. Polluting our water resources in these days of water stress makes us water-poor. Polluting water and soil risks food security in the short term, and in the long term, damages our soil resources, reducing agricultural productivity and potentially leading to famine. Many environmental disasters experienced in various countries around the world in the past could also occur in our country and region. Let's not wait for the future for a solution; there is no need to even think about leaving a clean environment for future generations. Even the current generation may face significant environmental risks in the not-so-distant future. Therefore, to solve the problem, we must start working today, without even waiting for tomorrow.”