The Istanbul Planning Agency has published a report assessing the situation of disadvantaged groups in Turkey in general and especially in Istanbul in extreme climate events. In the report titled “Reading the Climate Crisis Through Disadvantaged Groups”, data on how city residents cool off in the scorching heat drew particular attention. In the report, which also measured the active participation of Istanbulites in measures against the climate crisis, 91 percent of the participants stated that summer months have been hotter in the last 10 years, while 87.3 percent said that the climate crisis has had an impact on recent extreme heat and events such as heat waves, floods and droughts.
42.2 PERCENT BURNING
Of those who participated in the survey, 57.8 percent said they used electronic devices for cooling purposes in their homes, while 42.2 percent said they did not use electronic devices for cooling purposes. Of the participants, 23.7 percent had only air conditioning, 27.5 percent had only fans, and 6.6 percent had both. It was noted that the average electricity bill of the participants in the last two months was 633 TL, this amount reached an average of 545.9 TL in households without any cooling electronic devices at home, and 698.3 TL in households with electronic devices.
EMERGENCY
The report stated the precautions that should be taken against this picture as follows: “Based on this data, it would not be wrong to say that the effects of the climate crisis have started to affect the people of Istanbul. The problems experienced by the people of Istanbul due to the climate crisis should be taken into account in a participatory process, and all disadvantaged groups should be included in the measures to be taken against the climate crisis. Taking place with the participation of Istanbulites will contribute to taking the needs of all these groups into consideration in preparations for extreme weather events related to the climate crisis.“
ELDERLY POPULATION IS INCREASING
The report also draws attention to the data regarding the elderly, who are among the most disadvantaged groups in terms of climate. While the population aged 65 and above constitutes 9.5 percent of the total population in Turkey, this rate is seen as 7.3 percent in Istanbul. The report states that the reason for this difference is that living conditions in Istanbul are becoming economically difficult for the population aged 65 and above. The report states, “Based on this, it is also possible to say that both the elderly and the poor living in Istanbul will be more affected by the extreme weather events caused by the climate crisis.” it is said.
CHRONIC DISEASE RISK
The striking report also includes the following data regarding citizens over the age of 65 with chronic diseases both in Turkey and in Istanbul: “A very large portion of people aged 65 and over have chronic diseases. While the rate of people over the age of 65 with chronic diseases in Turkey is 78.7 percent, this rate is 77.5 percent in Istanbul. When the chronic diseases of people over the age of 65 are considered, it would not be wrong to say that the effects of these diseases have reached fatal levels, especially with the effect of heat waves. It is emphasized that hot weather causes diseases such as heart attack, arrhythmia, kidney damage, fainting, low blood pressure and high blood sugar in people over the age of 65.“
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