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Author: Mirac Country: Turkey Profession: Student Age: 23

Date: 05.09.2006

INTERVIEW

Truly Europe and truly Asia

Hi, my name is Mirac from
Turkey. My name is Mirac and I am 23 years old. I study economics in Faculty of Political
Sciences, Ankara University. I am interested in discovering (and trying to protect) Mirac got active, as he realized that soil erosion could
I am active for TEMA, an environmental beauties of the world. soon change its home country into desert.
organisation which takes care of
problems like soil erosion. By our Some say that Turkey is a European country, others claim it is definitely Asia.
everyday´s activism we prevent Turkey What do you think?
from becoming desert in the near future.
My country is the bridge between Asia and Europe, and the cradle of lots of civilisations.
Because of that it is truly Europe and truly Asia at the same time.
>> More information
What environmental problems are most threatening for your country?
>> Questions, comments, suggestions Turkey is the bridge between Asia and Europe - a
In Turkey, the biggest problem about nature is soil erosion and every year Turkey loses place, where different cultures meet.
soil as big as Cyprus island. Soil erosion threatens 85% of Turkey. And if this situation
goes on, my country will turn into desert very fast. 29% of lands in Turkey is covered
with forests. But it is so hot in summers and in every summer – like this summer- it is so
easy to cause a fire there. The Ministry of Forests and Environment, and related NGO’s
promote, organise and make campaigns for planting trees and being careful for
preventing fires. We have a long way to walk for success in raising awareness about soil
erosion.

After fires the soil is vulnerable to erosion and only

How is your activism related to the problem of soil erosion?
little wildlife is able to re-occupy the area.

I am a volunteer in TEMA ( Turkish Foundation for Preventing Soil Erosion, Reforesting

and Protecting Natural Habitats ). TEMA has over 236.000 members and it is the most
efficient and active environmental foundation in my country. When I first heard about
the effects of soil erosion( If we do not prevent soil erosion immediately, Turkey will be

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desert before 2030) this motivated me so much to do something for protecting nature.

Where did your motivation lead you?

As a young volunteer, I inform my friends, and people around me about the effects of
soil erosion and try to inspire them to become new active members for TEMA.
Additionally I participate in afforestation projects in my area and attend soil erosion
education seminars. I think acting local is the most effective way in environmental
works. As an individual, you can’t prevent global warming, but you can organise a
campaign to collect used papers for recycling for example.

Could you elaborate a bit more on the work of TEMA?

TEMA Foundation implements reforestation, afforestation, carbon sequestration and

biodiversity protection projects in areas subject to erosion, in order to regain the green
cover, wildlife and ecological balance. The foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Mirac is convinced, that only the local engagement in
Environment and Forestry has planted 2,2 million saplings over an area of 2.350 environmental work can make a global difference.
hectares under 25 different reforestation projects through the sponsorship of individuals "Think globally - act locally" is his motto.
and companies. TEMA’s “10 Billion Oak Acorns Projects” started in 1998 with the
partnership of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Since 1998, 850 million oak
acorns have been planted with the support of citizens, private-public sector, Turkish
Armed Forces and Education Institutions.

Do you also use new media to lobby for nature conservation?

One of TEMA’s recent project is called ‘10 Million Sms’ campaign. Companies will send
advertisement messages to participants' mobile phones and 5 millions of oaks will be
planted when it reaches half million participants. TEMA works in 35 Rural Development
Projects on 100.000 hectares area throughout Turkey. TEMA Foundation’s legal activities
can be evaluated under “lawmaking“ and “lawsuits” activities. The most important of
TEMA’s legal successes is the ratification of “Grazeland Law” by the Turkish General
Assembly in 1998 which has not been passed by parliament for 38 years. TEMA
organizes seminars, panels and conferences in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice,
Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Security and universities. So far, more than 2
million people attended TEMA’s various education programs.

What would you recommend people, who got interested now in the topics of
soil erosion and deforestation or which would like to collaborate with TEMA?

If you are interested in my organisations work, you can contact TEMA Representatives in
your area ( presently we have branches in Germany and Holland ) and participate in
TEMA activities there. Additionally you can inform TEMA about any problems you witness
concerning soil erosion, deforestation, agricultural malpractice, so that TEMA can take
the necessary actions or inform you, how you could fight these problems. We also offer
publications to get informed about soil erosion, desertification and reforestation. We, as
youth, must start to take the step. It is not important to take a big or small step, it is
important to start! I suggest to visit TEMA’s homepage as a ‘first step’: TEMA's
Homepage

Thanks for the interview!

impressum | copyright, naju 2006-2007

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