In Izmir, the ground subsidence of 1.5 centimeters every year and the rise in sea level have caused concerns. Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) Environment, Biodiversity and Climate Change Working Group Member Prof. Dr. Doğan Yaşar pointed out that the ground in Izmir collapses by 1.5 centimeters every year and said, “Izmir’s biggest problem is neither transportation, the smell of the bay, pollution or anything else. There is only one event in the long term: collapse. If no precautions are taken, it will last 50-60 years.” “Then sea water may reach Basmane,” he said. With the emergence of the risk of the coastal areas, especially Kordon, being flooded in the near future, all eyes turned to the shores of Istanbul.
6 MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE AFFECTED
The report titled “Sea Level Rise and Its Possible Effects for Istanbul and Izmir” published by the Global Balance Association also draws attention to the great danger awaiting Izmir and Istanbul. The report emphasizes that the sea level will rise by 50 centimeters in 2050 and one meter in 2100 due to climate change, causing disasters, and it is predicted that a 120 square kilometer area in Istanbul, where more than 6 million people live, will be flooded. The report points out that historical buildings such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace and Ortaköy Mosque are the works that will be affected by the rise in sea level. It is claimed that an area equivalent to the total surface area of Maltepe and Fatih districts will be submerged.
ALACATI AND SIGACIK WARNING
In Izmir, the report states that the Gulf and Kordon, as well as holiday resorts such as Alaçatı and Sığacak, as well as the Gediz Delta Bird Sanctuary, are under threat, and 12 of the 16 wastewater treatment plants in Istanbul are located in Izmir. While it is pointed out that there will be problems in 4 of the 20 wastewater treatment plants, it is emphasized that sea water will mix with groundwater.
Ecology Specialist Prof. is one of the people who signed the report. Dr. Nüzhet Dalfes said, “An area of approximately 120 square kilometers in Istanbul with an altitude of less than 2 meters is at risk. “We calculated that the southern coasts of Istanbul will be more affected by the change in sea level.”
THE 5 MOST RISKY CITIES
On the other hand, recent studies by the Danish Polar Research Institute point out that billions of tons of ice have melted in Greenland alone, and that there will be a serious increase in sea water levels. In the sixth report prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) within the United Nations (UN), it is stated that the warming in the Arctic Circle is progressing twice as fast as in the rest of the world. It is underlined that the situation that will emerge with global climate change will affect major coastal cities in Europe, especially Istanbul, Barcelona, London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
GLACIERS ARE MELT
ITU Eurasia Earth Sciences Institute Solid Earth Sciences Faculty Member Prof.Dr. While Akif Sarıkaya states that many glaciers around the world are at risk of disappearing by 2070, he lists the following warnings: “Glaciers are melting. There are glaciers in 41 regions in Turkey. The largest glacier is located at the summit of Mount Ararat and has an area of approximately 5.5 square kilometers. On average, 259 billion tons of glaciers disappear every year. Annual loss of Antarctic Glacier is 121 billion tons, In Greenland, it is 97 billion tons. It is estimated that sea level will rise between 40 centimeters and 1 meter in 2100. Many ports and coastal cities may be flooded. Turkey is surrounded by sea on three sides. Istanbul is at risk.”
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