Mucilage images exhibited at COP31 drew attention to the threat of pollution in the Marmara Sea

COP31, the world's most important organization in the fight against climate change, held in Antalya, continues.

Within the scope of COP31, the effects of climate change are discussed in all its aspects and solution suggestions are brought to the agenda. The images exhibited at the Cemre Foundation's stand also showed the damage caused by mucilage in the Sea of ​​Marmara.

Piri Reis University Maritime Faculty Lecturer Prof. Dr. The images compiled from Mustafa Sarı's works also attracted the attention of visitors.

In his assessment to the AA correspondent, Sarı said that the biggest impact of climate change is visible in the seas.

Pointing out that the sea water temperature is rising due to climate change, Sarı said, "We cannot stop this for now. On the other hand, the dual water structure of the Marmara Sea is one of the most important triggers for the formation of mucilage. Marmara has a dual water structure. The less saline waters of the upper Black Sea flow from north to south through the straits. This facilitates the formation of mucilage." made his assessment.

Sarı pointed out that approximately one fifth of Türkiye's population lives around the Marmara Sea and said:

"60 percent of Turkey's industry is around the Marmara Sea. Such intense urbanization and such intense industrialization naturally create terrible pressure. Unfortunately, we dump waste into the sea without properly purifying it. As sea water temperatures rise and this dual water structure of the Marmara Sea is triggered by the effect of the climate, mucilage will continue to form. We need to reduce pollution. When we stop all kinds of pollution, days without mucilage will be near for Marmara. "Unfortunately, unless we reduce pollution, mucilage will continue to have an effect beneath the surface, even if it is not visible on the surface."

"We have great expectations from COP31 regarding seas and oceans"

Stating that it is very pleasing that one of the 10 themes at COP31 is sea and oceans, Sarı said, "Because if we want to stop climate change, if we want to take action against climate change, the place where we will do this is the sea and oceans. We have great expectations from COP31 regarding the sea and oceans. There are many events about sea and oceans. I am pleased with this. We talked about the Gulf of Izmit yesterday. It was very, very crowded. Three times as many people tried to watch it standing as there were sitting."

Individual consumption habits must be changed to protect the seas

Stating that individuals as well as public institutions and local governments have a responsibility in the fight against mucilage, Sarı drew attention to the effect of cleaning products and waste oils used in daily life on marine pollution.

Stating that pouring one liter of waste oil into the sink can pollute one million liters of seawater, and using excessive amounts of bleach harms the marine ecosystem, Sarı emphasized the importance of changing individual consumption habits.

Sarı stated that municipalities, public institutions and citizens should act together to protect the Marmara Sea and added that mucilage can be prevented by reducing pollution.