Former alumnus Uğurgül has been successfully managing McGill University’s Turkey alumni section for many years. A few months ago, when he asked, “Serhan, would you like to choose one of the sustainability topics you’ve developed and share it with McGill students, alumni, and professionals in the alumni section?” I said “yes!” without hesitation. You can find the event announcement below:
https://www.alumni.mcgill.ca/aoc/events-travel/EventDetails.php?id=NDQxNjM=
I try to participate in events offered to me by McGill University in Montreal, which holds a spiritual significance for me. Last week, I shared my vision and knowledge on this topic at an event titled “The Climate Crisis and What Needs to Be Done?” As for what I shared, let’s go over the content together:
The 100% renewable energy target is achievable in 2-3 years if the government is committed to it. The steps are clear. And you can achieve this without causing any economic harm to anyone.
Question from a Chinese Student
Before I gave this speech, I was asked the following question by a Chinese student who was not attending the event:
“To Whom It May Concern,
I am particularly interested in the speech on the climate crisis planned by your organization for November 18th, and how this issue is being addressed in Turkey, as the drought in the Euphrates River concerns me.
Could the speaker, Serhan Süzer, address this issue?
The short biography about Serhan Süzer on your website states that the Süzer Group established a Coca-Cola plant in Iraq, where farmers are starving due to the drying up of the Euphrates River. It is a well-researched fact that Coca-Cola plants in various parts of the world (India, Mexico, etc.) deplete local freshwater resources and then serve sugary drinks to the local population, leading to an epidemic of diabetes.
While many parts of Iraq are suffering from drought, is it right to deplete the last remaining fresh water resources in order to poison impoverished people with Coca-Cola?”
“Thank you for your question. I wish you had been with us yesterday; we exchanged a lot of useful information on related topics.
In answering your question, I should first point out that I am quite familiar with the geography of southeastern Turkey and Iraq, as my father is originally from that region and I previously implemented projects such as solar-powered agricultural irrigation in Şanlıurfa, on the Syrian border. The reasons for the drought in this region are as follows:
As I begin to list the factors causing the water problem, I would first like to emphasize that we built our Coca-Cola plant in Northern Iraq, near the Zab River. The Zab is one of the rivers that joins the Tigris, another river originating in eastern Turkey. Therefore, the Euphrates River is not relevant to the topic. However, all these rivers, the Euphrates, Tigris, and Zap, originate in eastern Turkey and flow into the Persian Gulf. Both the Euphrates and the Tigris flow through Turkey, Iraq (and even Iran in some places), and Syria. They are vital water resources for Iraq.
The fundamental problem for Iraq is related to Turkey’s use of these water resources. Our government has constructed numerous dams and hydroelectric facilities on both rivers.
You can see these facilities in the tables below:
Dams and hydroelectric power plants installed on the Euphrates River in Turkey:
| NAME | CITY | DISTRICT | INSTALLATION CAPACITY |
| 1. Keban Dam and HEPP | Elazığ | Keban | 1.330 MW |
| 2. Karakaya Dam ve HEPP | Diyarbakır | Çüngüş | 1.800 MW |
| 3. Atatürk Dam ve HEPP | Şanlıurfa | Bozova | 2.405 MW |
| 4. Birecik Dam ve HEPP | Şanlıurfa | Birecik | 672 MW |
| 5. Karkamış Dam ve HEPP | Gaziantep | Karkamış | 189 MW |
| NAME | CITY | DISTRICT | INSTALLATION CAPACITY |
| 1. Kralkızı Dam ve HEPP | Diyarbakır | 95 MW | |
| 2. Dicle Dam ve HEPP | Diyarbakır | 110 MW | |
| 3. Ilısu Dam ve HEPP | Mardin | 1.209 MW | |
| 4. Cizre Dam ve HEPP | Şırnak | Cizre | 331 MW |
Dams and the Problem of Efficient Irrigation
As seen above, there are nine giant dams on both rivers (these are actually the largest hydroelectric facilities in the country). These dams were built as part of the GAP (Southeastern Anatolia Project), and there are more than 20 dams and hydroelectric power plants in the region, covering this entire region with an irrigation network designed to support agriculture in southeastern Turkey. And herein lies the real problem. Water is used to irrigate a massive area of 1.8 million hectares. Can you imagine the total amount of water used in the region? This is the amount of water used efficiently and effectively in the region. The lack of proper irrigation was one of the key points I emphasized yesterday. Unfortunately, many farmers and landowners still prefer wild irrigation methods instead of using efficient systems like drip irrigation, and a lot of water is consumed for this purpose.
This issue has led to serious tensions between Turkey and its neighbors, Iraq and Syria. At times, these tensions have escalated so much that the countries have threatened each other with war. Both countries have warned Turkey numerous times, demanding that it release its water resources from the dams. Now, can you understand the fundamental problem regarding the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers for Iraq and Syria?
Increasing Temperatures
Besides this fundamental problem, another significant factor causing drought in the region for both Turkey, Iraq, and Syria is rising temperatures. Temperatures reach over 50 degrees Celsius in the summer. Can you imagine what such heat can cause? Water resources are rapidly evaporating, and water levels drop to a minimum during the summer months, with some river tributaries even drying up completely.
Increasing Population and Consumption
Another reason for Iraq and Syria’s water shortage is the growing population in the region (especially in Turkey and Northern Iraq). Increasing populations mean increased water consumption. Consequently, the consumption of water and other liquids (orange juice, apricot juice, cola, etc.) is increasing every year.
Increasing industrialization around the Zap River
Fourth reason: although we established the first factory in the region, I’ve heard that after the Coca-Cola plant, many other factories were established along the Zap River, even turning it into an industrial zone. Therefore, the Coca-Cola plant isn’t the only factory using water in the Zap River region.
First Investment After the War
Finally, I’d like to emphasize that I personally managed the Coca-Cola project from 2006 to 2009. We were successful because it was the first investment after the Iraq War (due to the threat of war and terrorist attacks, no one else was willing to come to the country and lead such a project at the time). A year after the plant opened, in 2009, our market penetration reached 60% (Pepsi was not happy about this), and that same year, we sold our stake to the Coca-Cola Company. Therefore, I have no connection to Coca-Cola, nor any reason to defend it. However, based on my experience, I can say that Coca-Cola prioritizes efficiency and has a dedicated sustainability program.
I hope my answer was satisfactory, and if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me directly at any time.
Sincerely,
Serhan
I would have also liked the person who asked this question to attend the event. I could have explained it in person or gone into more detail if they wished.
Ultimately, I will continue to do my best to convey the concept of sustainability to all international students, starting with our hometown. The goal is always the same: to leave a livable, sustainable, and enjoyable life for future generations.
Stay well.
Bonus: After writing about this presentation I gave at the McGill Alumni Association event, I’m also sharing the video below for those who would like to watch it in detail:
Tag: education
