A Turkish environmental activist has grow to be the primary from the nation to obtain a Goldman Environmental Award, also referred to as “Inexperienced Nobel,” which is offered yearly by the Goldman Environmental Basis.
The muse introduced its six environmental activists this yr on Monday, recognizing them for his or her efforts to guard land and communities, from Brazil to Türkiye to states within the U.S.
Zafer Kızılkaya, the chairperson of the board of the Mediterranean Conservation Affiliation, obtained an award for his efforts to guard and monitor the ecosystem, with the guard system in particular environmental safety zones, particularly in Gökova, and his struggle in opposition to poaching at sea.
Talking to Anadolu Company (AA), Kızılkaya stated that this can be a very selective award given to tasks that carry collectively many points from biodiversity to local weather, from meals security to securing the revenue of native communities.
“And this yr I’m being awarded on behalf of the Mediterranean Conservation Society. This offers me nice pleasure,” stated Kızılkaya.
Speaking about his actions relating to the safety of the setting, Kızılkaya stated that he had been engaged on protected areas within the Far East for about 10 years and returned to Türkiye in 2007.
Gökova Gulf
“We performed analysis all through the Mediterranean and found that Gökova (a protracted, slim gulf) of the Aegean Sea between the Bodrum and Datça peninsulas in southwest Türkiye, is going through a organic warfare. Nothing was left beneath the water however a number of fish,” Kzlkaya said.
Stating that areas off limits to fishing needed to be established within the nation, similar to it’s achieved across the globe, he defined: “Therefore, we got down to develop a guard system for the safety of the declared areas, with the assist of the Coast Guard Command and the Mediterranean Safety Affiliation to stop unlawful fishing.”
“We now have a group of 30 members: rangers, subject managers and teachers. We now have bases in two completely different factors within the gulfs of Gökova, Bozburun and Hisarönü the place we monitor sand sharks and Mediterranean seals. Final yr, we carried out underwater cleansing and eliminated about 15 tons of nets from previous fish farms. Within the following yr in Fethiye Göcek, we launched a ranger safety system to depend fish and measure ecosystem parameters. For now, we solely are observing the underwater actions in Kaş Kekova, however we’ve got plans to ascertain a safety system and workplace there within the coming years,” Kızılkaya defined.
He additionally knowledgeable that the coaching of the workers is refreshed each three months, and the groups are geared up with technological programs that may assist them document the whole lot with particular software program.
“The primary focus of our present work is to get rid of invasive species and to counter local weather change, and to extend the immunity of the ocean by growing protected areas,” he added.
The Goldman Setting Award has been awarded yearly since 1989 by the Goldman Environmental Basis, based by San Francisco philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman. Award winners are chosen by a world jury from candidates nominated by a worldwide community of environmental organizations and consultants within the subject.
