Polish J. of Environ. Stud. Vol. 15, No. 4 (2006), 635-642 Letter to Editor Perceptions of Environmental Issues in a Turkish Province K. Esengun*, M. Sayili, H. Akca Gaziosmanpasa university, Faculty of agriculture, Department of agricultural Economics, 60240 tokat, turkey Received: March 4, 2005 Virtual Institute for Reference Materials Accepted: January 26, 2006 Department of Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Faculty, Gdansk University of Technology is a Abstract partner of EU project G7RT-CT-2002-05104 (2003-2005) aimed at establishing a virtual institute for reference materials. Virtual Institute for Reference Materials VIRM asbl (non-profit organisation) this study focused on the investigation of the structure of environmental organizations, determination was officially founded and registered with seat in Luxembourg in October 2004. of the problems faced by these organizations, explanation of the politics of governmental and non-govern- Central mission of VIRM asbl is to facilitate dissemination of information and advice, know-how mental organizations related to proposed solutions to environmental problems, and illuminating relation- and help on Reference Materials and related fields. It offers extensive features (searchable RM ships between the two groups. The Tokat province in Turkey was chosen as the research area. A question- database, projects, library, conferences, training activities, newsletter, etc.). The RM database con- naire was prepared and sent to 16 governmental and non-governmental organizations. Findings indicated tains records, covering clinical, pharmaceutical, environmental, agricultural, forensic, occupational that air pollution is the most important environmental concern, followed by domestic waste, soil pollution, hygiene and microbiological applications. Further categories are instrumental calibrations, reactor lack of a central control system, illegal construction, unplanned urbanization, lack of green areas, water pollution, waste water, lack of infrastructure, use of agricultural lands for different purposes, erosion/de- neutron dosimetry and physical properties. forestation, excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, noise pollution and burning. inadequate financial VIRM website is a place where different information concerning reference materials can be resources, lack of trained personel and inadequate environmental legislation are the main weaknesses in OBTAINED and DISSEMINATED. The site can be visited at www.virm.net. Full access is avail- dealing with environmental problems. The Local Environmental Committee should assume greater respon- able after registration as a SUBSCRIBER (an annual fee of 150 € - conditions of discounts at sibility for addressing environmental issues in the future and the Ministry of the Environment and Forestry www.virm.net). Partial access is FREE after registration as a USER. should act to coordinate activities among organizations. the Ministry, rather than simply being an “advis- All are kindly asked to visit the site. ing authority” should also have the authority to levy appropriate penalties to violators. Inter-agency confu- sion and uncertainty as to the proper roles of different governmental organizations should be addressed and resolved. Successful solutions to environmental problems can only be achieved by not only governmental VIRM National Contact Point intervention and enforceable regulations, but also through participation of the whole society. Keywords: environmental problems, legislation, organizations, turkey Prof. dr hab. inż. Jacek Namieśnik ([email protected]) Dr hab. inż. Bogdan Zygmunt, prof. PG ([email protected]) Department of Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Faculty, Gdansk University of Technology 80-952 Gdańsk, 11/12Narutowicza Str., Poland Introduction the environment is about dolphins or whales, nuclear and toxic wastes, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, recycled tin The environment is an important assest. Particularly in cans or newspapers. For a peasant family living in a devel- the last two decades, the importance of how the environ- oping country, however, it is about resources contributing ment can affect our lives in positive or negative ways has directly to family livelihoods: drinking and irrigation water, been understood and much research related to this subject forests, meadows, soil, wild and domestic animals, and so has been conducted [1]. on [2]. Today the bad effects of environmental problems The term environment has a different meaning to a on human health, animals, plants, and other lifeless assets farm family living in a developing country village from have reached dangerous dimensions, particularly in devel- its meaning to an environmentalist living in a developed oped countries. rapid population growth, unhealthy and country. For example, for a citizen of a developed country unplanned urbanization, rapid industrialization, nuclear ac- cidents and waste, the discharge of domestic and industrial *Corresponding author; e-mail: [email protected] waste, the use of fertile agricultural lands for unsuitable 636 Esengun K., et al. aims, and improper agricultural applications are the main dates back to the time of the Ottoman Empire. Even dur- causes of environmental problems [3]. ing that period there was an awareness of the impact hu- Increasing levels of human-generated contaminants in man activities could have on nature; however, there were water, air, and soil, which threaten both natural resources no specific policies related to environmental protection. and human health was a main concern for many nations The “International Sanitary Council” was established in in the last half of the 20th century. turkey, as a developing 1839 to prevent environmental pollution. after that date, country, began recognizing the serious nature of its envi- studies focusing on environmental protection were limited ronmental problems in the 1970s. The type and magnitude only to “Reconstruction.” Beginning in the 20th century, of environmental concerns varies, depending on the char- technology transfer from Europe and developments in the acteristics of the particular locale. Air pollution is a major industrial sector were significant factors in environmental concern in cities, while contamination of water resources degradation [5]. Various legal regulations emphasizing is often a predominant issue for both inland water bodies different aspects of environmental issues were initiated and coastal zones. Increasing removal of natural ground following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey cover (grasslands, forests) for agriculture, and excess ap- in 1923. The aim of the “Law of Village” (1924) was to plication of amendments to control pests and enhance regulate the establishment of new settlement units in rural yields (i.e., fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc.) usually areas without adversely affecting the natural environment. has a negative impact on the local ecology. Difficulties in the preservation of environmental quality was defined as the manner in which environmental policies are applied in the responsibility of municipalities in the context of the a timely fashion and ineffective organizations contribute “Law of Municipality” (1930) and the “Law of Hygiene” to environmental problems. it is not surprising, therefore, (1930). The “Law of Forestry” (1937) for the first time that in addition to prevention of environmental degradation defined the term of forest“ ” and included the conservation and protection of environmental values, the development of forests as a key component. one of the first laws to of public awarness, decision making and effective applica- specifically target the conservation of environmental val- tion of environmental policies are now primary concerns of ues was the 1937 “Law of Archeological Regulations.” In environmental organizations established at local, national, the 1950s, rapid urbanization and inadequate infrastruc- and international levels. ture were the main causes of environmental degredation. Different types of organizations have multiple missions In order to reduce the negative effects of environmental relative to environmental conservation. These groups include: degradation, the “Law of Reconstruction” (1957) was ac- i) governmental organizations (GOs) cepted in parliament, and the Ministry of reconstruction ii) non-governmental organizations (NGOs – associa- and Settlement was established soon after [6-8]. tions, trusts, co-operatives, etc), at the beginning of the planning period, environmental iii) non-profit organizations (npos), and issues were viewed as basic problems under the auspices of iv) international organizations. national policies. various ministries (i.e., reconstruction and Nearly 30 international organizations have programs settlement, health, and Forest, etc.) shouldered the responsi- or are otherwise directly or indirectly focusing on envi- bilities to address and solve environmental problems. Under ronmental issues. Representative groups include the Or- the control of Turkish Republic Prime Ministry State Plan- ganization for Economic Cooperation and Development ning organizations, the “Permanent Consultation Board for (oEcD), the United Nations Environment Programme Environmental Problems” was established in 1974. Within (unEp), the united nations industrial Development a short period of time, the “Coordination Committee for organization (uniDo), the north atlantic treaty orga- Environmental Problems” was established in collaboration nization (NATO), the European