Turkey is grappling with ongoing forest fires everywhere, on top of flood news from the past few days. This struggle seems unlikely to end quickly. I’d like to share some striking news about the situation:
Controversy over the source of the fires
While all these fires continue, the first controversy has arisen regarding the source of the fires. Are these fires caused by humans or natural disasters?
I think it’s both. It’s just a matter of percentages. It’s difficult to determine what percentage is human-caused and what percentage is natural. I’m estimating that if serious research were conducted on this topic, I think it would be approximately three to five percent accurate. And based on the reports I’ve read, the natural disasters I’ve followed for many years, and my understanding of our people, I anticipate this prediction will prove accurate.
The bottom line is that most of these fires are caused by natural disasters. Of course, you could argue that humans are at the root of climate change. You’re right. Natural disasters caused by climate change are changing the face of the situation. I recommend reading my blog post on this subject from 2012: H. Serhan Süzer – Enerji ve Çevre; dünya nereye gidiyor? (serhansuzer.com)
Why do human-caused fires start?
I estimate that a very small percentage of human-caused fires are deliberately set to commit crimes and harm the country. There are many ways to terrorize a country. This isn’t just burning trees or forests. A larger portion of human-caused fires are caused by unintentional mistakes, negligence, garbage and glass left in forests, or various other accidents. For example, barbecuers in the forest dump burning coal and similar waste (assuming it’s extinguished) into the forest. Barbecuing in the forest has never been a good idea anyway.
I have witnessed arguments that almost escalated into fights between barbecuers and runners in the Belgrade Forest, where I visit frequently. Our people have even gotten the hang of barbecue. The only concrete statement about the fires reported in the press to date was from two 10-year-old children, detained on charges of causing one of the fires in Marmaris, who said, “We were burning books, and the flames grew. We tried to put out the fire by filling a cola bottle with water. It wouldn’t go out. So we ran away.” See: https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/marmaristeki-yangin-kitap-yakıyork-alev-cogaldi,xqeTKf21QU-Eao1EByVsAQ
Most human-caused fires are started for profit. If a hotel or housing project is built there after a fire, you know that those involved in that project are involved in the fire. Of course, prove it, if you can.
Climate change-related fires predominate
Many fires are caused by nature. When we look at the causes of natural disasters, a small percentage of them are caused by natural cycles. So, sometimes nature can start fires in certain places to regenerate itself, and after a while, the burned forest regenerates with a richer flora and emerges with a strong infrastructure.
However, unfortunately, the main source of natural disasters is climate change. This is due to extreme heat, drought, and the environment’s readiness to fuel fires. The presence of northerly winds, dry soil, and so on. I’d like to share a post by Yeşilist about the forest fires that have broken out in Turkey and various parts of the world due to climate change: https://www.instagram.com/p/CR_dZf4opNH/?utm_medium=share_sheet
Forest fires are everywhere. At the beginning of last year, we were witnessing continuous climate change-induced forest fires all over the world, especially in Australia. I wrote about the fires in Australia. I’m sharing it as a reminder: https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/avustralyadaki-yangin-dunyayi-goreve-cagiriyor
I’d also like to share a social media post showing natural disasters caused by climate change in different countries: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSB7t6XNqqg/?utm_medium=share_sheet
Fires in the Mediterranean and the doubling of temperatures in Greenland
We can also give the example of the ongoing fires in Mediterranean countries, which reach their highest temperatures in July and August. These fires occur every year not only in Turkey but also in many Mediterranean countries. I’d like to share three news items about the fires in the Mediterranean:
https://theconversation.com/wildfires-are-raging-in-the-mediterranean-what-can-we-learn-81121
https://www.wwf.es/?51162/The-Mediterranean-burns-2019
A few words for those who still question climate change and refuse to accept this reality. Here’s a current example:
Danish scientists reported that the glaciers in Greenland are melting massively due to the extraordinary increase in air temperature. According to the research, approximately eight billion tons of glaciers have been melting daily in Greenland since 28 July. The average temperature in northern Greenland is above 20° C. This is twice the average summer temperature. I’d like to share related news: Grönland′daki buzullar hızla eriyor | DÜNYA | DW | 01.08.2021
Controversy over seeking help regarding the fires
Another controversial topic has been the appeal for international aid regarding the fires. A campaign was launched on social media with the hashtag #HelpTurkey, calling for help from the international community. You can find the relevant image below
Users criticizing the appeal for help launched a new campaign using the hashtags #WeDontNeedHelp and #StrongTurkey. Presidential Communications Director Altun, who supported the #StrongTurkey hashtag, claimed that the aid campaign was organized from abroad: “This so-called aid campaign, organized from abroad and from a single center, was launched with ideological motives, with the aim of portraying our state as helpless and weakening our unity between the state and the nation.”
I personally did not share such a post. However, when I looked at the discussions, some claimed that it was an anti-government sentiment. I disagree with these views. While a significant portion of those appealing for help may not vote for the current government, I don’t believe they are doing so to discredit Turkey. I personally perceived this as a cry of desperation. I would like to share a social media post as an example of this desperation: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CSDHfwADZW5/?utm_medium=share_sheet
Social media users called for firefighting planes to be sent to Turkey. The European Commission announced that two Canadair aircraft would be sent from Spain and one from Croatia to fight the fires. Spain announced that it would send a C-295 transport aircraft and an entire Military Emergency Unit team to Turkey, in addition to the firefighting aircraft. Greece announced that it was ready to send a firefighting aircraft to Turkey but had not received a positive response. Minister Pakdemirli said, “To my knowledge, there is no offer from Greece. If there were, we would certainly accept it.”
So, in essence, we can say that this campaign has worked in some sense. Here’s the impact of the Beriev Be-200 firefighting aircraft, with a 12-ton water capacity, delivered from abroad on the flames: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CR_2wmLljPr/?utm_medium=share_sheet
Both the public and NGOs failed
Both the public and NGOs working on disaster relief efforts failed. Based on the interaction generated on social media, I can say that the capacity to cope with these fires will be very limited. In this sense, I believe that NGOs, which are at the forefront of these efforts, have failed, in addition to the public sector.
As an activist, my inability to do anything is heartbreaking. I’m deeply saddened. Why I can’t do anything and how I’ve become passive is a separate topic, but what truly bothers me is that none of the necessary actions are being taken by the public, the NGOs working on disasters, or the platforms they’ve established. Of course, this statement doesn’t apply to all NGOs. Some even tried to do everything within their capacity to address this emerging disaster, but the vast majority reacted late to the disaster and, more importantly, entered it without any preparation.
Unfortunately, the pre-disaster preparation efforts, which I’ve repeatedly emphasized on the Disaster Platform, of which I am a founder, have stalled due to the events that have unfolded since March, and no preparations have been made. I want to express my deep regret about this.
Painful, unanswered questions
The rapidity of air fire response and the serious inadequacy in controlling the fires have brought about utter devastation in the most valuable ecological, economic, and touristic regions of our beautiful country. I’d like to share a few questions that have come to mind:
In a country where forest fires pose the greatest threat every summer, aren’t disaster scenario-based desktop exercises conducted to address the possibility of forest fires breaking out simultaneously in multiple locations? If so, how was the shortage of aircraft capable of simultaneous response not identified? If so, why weren’t precautions taken, and why wasn’t a fleet equipped with sufficient small aircraft and other aircraft created? Isn’t the cost of such a fleet paltry compared to the cost of the disaster we are still experiencing today? Regardless of the cause, shouldn’t the first and most fundamental priority be to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible? I’m having a hard time understanding how all this went unforeseen, and the necessary precautions weren’t taken. Listen to the Mayor of Marmaris for a better understanding of what I mean: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CSCnDnBgp92mejmOBVRro1hTo0nnDIYI7SirlI0/?utm_medium=share_sheet
I hope that, at least in the future, similar mistakes won’t be repeated, and that the most ethical and ecologically sound steps will be taken regarding the forested areas we’ve lost.
I’m taking a break from writing in August. After September, I’ll be writing about what needs to be done regarding the forest fires. I hope the fires will be brought under control during this time, and that no further damage will be done to our forests and other living creatures. Loss of life and property will be minimized, and psychological rehabilitation will be achieved as soon as possible. May God be with our people, animals, and forests living in the fire zones.
Bonus:
- Information about firefighting aircraft: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSFWk_KKnhL/?utm_medium=share_sheet
- A post about the Great Leader Atatürk, the founder of our Republic,’s love of trees: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSFBOgdjy9I/?utm_medium=share_sheet
Tag: education
