18th Training on Climate Change organized within the scope of Enhancing Required Joint Efforts on Climate Change Project (İklimIN) was held in Van between the dates of 19-21 November. The meeting was attended by representatives from Van Metropolitan Municipality, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYU), NGOs, development agencies and related institutions, as well as by the participants from Şırnak, Bitlis and Siirt provinces. During the 3-day trainings, the subjects such as “Elements of Fight against Climate Change”, “International Extent of Climate Change”, “Local Planning of Climate Change”, “Economic and Social Impacts of Climate-Based Disasters”, “Green Infrastructure Solutions”, “Water Resources Management”, “Climate Change and Agriculture” were evaluated.

WE NEED TO TAKE MEASURES AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Addressing the effects of climate change in his speech during the training, Provincial Director of Environment and Urbanization Ali Kemal Atlı said, “We need to take measures as soon as possible. One of the aims of this training is to talk about these measures. It is about the local policies and solutions we are going to create. First of all, we must focus on our renewable energy sources, to reduce the use of fossil fuels, planned cities, structures and cities that produce their own energy, not to reduce, if possible, to increase the forests, to deteriorate the natural air conditioning effect, and to activate the systems that will not interfere with the ecosystem or deteriorate.

POISONOUS MUSSELS WILL DAMAGE THE PEARL MULLET

Talking about the pollution in the Van Lake and the mussel invasion that damages the pearl mullet, Atlı said: “Recently, people mention that there is a poisonous mussel species in Van Lake and this will harm the pearl mullet. In the research carried out by our university on this subject, the issues related to the transportation of mussels to the lake are addressed and taking a precaution is an obligation. We will evaluate all of these and we will follow the subject.”