Due to the Environment Week, "TÜBİTAK Environment Talks" program was organized on June 5, World Environment Day with the participation of speakers from TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center in order to prevent and reduce environmental pollution and to raise awareness in the society on this issue. TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Research Group Leader Y. Eng. Prof. Dr. Özgen Ercan, Leader of Water Management and Treatment Technologies Research Group Assoc. Dr. Özgen Ercan, Leader of Air Quality and Environmental Noise Technologies Research Group Assoc. Dr. Nesimi Özkurt, Leader of Air Quality and Environmental Noise Technologies Research Group Assoc. Dr. Nesimi Özkurt, and Dr. İbrahim Tan, Leader of Marine Research and Technologies Research Group from the Vice Presidency of Climate Change and Sustainability participated in the online conversation moderated by Tuba Budak Duhbacı.
The researchers addressed 4 topics on climate change, which we need to pay more attention to every passing day, from the importance of studies on "Developing Environmental Measurement Systems" since the problem must first be identified in the solution of environmental pollution, to the "Environmental Noise Management in Turkey" studies carried out in relation to the problem of noise pollution, which has become more important today, "Assessment of the Marine Ecosystem and Coastal-Marine Interactions" studies carried out to prevent the increase in marine pollution and microplastics and the resulting marine destruction, and "Cleaner Production Practices for a Cleaner World", which includes circular economy and resource efficiency issues to ensure sustainability, were discussed.
Speaking about environmental measurement systems, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgen Ercan stated that environmental pollution is continuously monitored with digital transformation through the systems they carry out in cooperation with the private sector.
Stating that their main goal is to protect water at its source, Ercan said that with the early warning systems developed, toxic chemical substances that may be uncontrolledly discharged into drinking water can be quickly recognized and intervened immediately, and that efforts are being made to protect air quality with flue gas measurement systems.
Ercan said that in order to protect the environment, the diagnosis must first be determined, reliable domestic measurement systems are needed for this, and that they are working on this issue. "We are carrying out important studies on what can be done to collect data, identify the problem and then improve it."
Addressing the studies carried out in our country on environmental noise, which has increased in recent years with irregular urbanization, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nesimi Özkurt first explained how noise is considered as an environmental problem. Özkurt said, "Long-term exposure to noise can cause cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric disorders, stress and fatigue symptoms that we often face in our daily lives, or hearing loss as a more permanent effect. We analyze noise according to certain parameters such as the affected population and the number of sensitive structures. We prepare strategic noise maps and action plans for cities. We develop local noise barrier systems to reduce the impact of road and railroad noise."
Explaining the monitoring activities to reduce marine pollution, Dr. İbrahim Tan said, "For the sustainable use and development of marine resources in the seas surrounding our country, it is carried out in a holistic approach targeting environmentally prioritized scientific research and technologies, including marine, coastal and inland waters." Stating that the increase in marine pollution causes a decrease in oxygen, Tan said, "In this context, we continue to work on both the prevention methods of marine pollution and other issues." He used the expressions.
Ms. Tuba Budak Duhbacı, who carries out resource efficiency studies. Tuba Budak Duhbacı, who conducts resource efficiency studies, also gave information about the studies carried out to reduce resource consumption and environmental pollution in the manufacturing industry. Duhbacı stated that with clean production studies, the current consumption of companies is evaluated and resource efficiency opportunities are identified. He also emphasized that by reducing resources such as water, raw materials and energy, the amount of waste will be reduced indirectly.
At the end of the interview, questions posed by the audience were also answered.
Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmTqLIRl7DA can be watched from the link
