The TRNC has such a dirty environment that it immediately attracts the attention of outsiders

THERE is a very serious environmental problem in North Cyprus. This problem is a chronic problem. Although we have added non-governmental environmental organisations to the weak environmental policy of the state, serious progress has not been made for years.

One of the most serious environmental problems of not only North Cyprus or all of Cyprus but the entire Mediterranean basin is the mine waste from the CMC in Lefke.

From time to time, moves that were thought to be a solution were made but those moves stumbled at the beginning of the road. The problem was seen as only Lefke’s problem. The authorities almost did not seem to care. This may be a bit harsh but politicians’ approach to even this serious environmental problem was one of profiteering.

Yesterday [last Saturday] was Environment Day. . . There were statements and actions devoid of depth and quality. . . We are writing this especially for state officials.

The simplest definition is that the natural wealth inherited from the past and transferred to the future is the environment as a whole. Life is growing in all measurable values.

Population growth is at the beginning of all threats to the environment. To start, the increasing number of people require shelter. The concept of environmentally friendly housing is almost zero.

Once upon a time, houses were built of adobe and stone. They had natural air conditioning. Now it is dense housing made of concrete. The material is not environmentally friendly.

They require intensive electricity consumption for heating and cooling.

Environmentally friendly resources are not used in electricity generation. In short, everything from top to bottom is devoid of environmental sensitivity.

It is not possible to trivialise the first pollution that comes to mind.

There is no culture of putting rubbish in a bin. Municipalities ask the public to collect their rubbish regularly and put it in rubbish bins.

However, the rubbish collectors do not empty the bins properly, especially in Lefkoşa. Empty bins are thrown into the middle of the road. No-one listens to warnings or complaints.

Look around the traffic lights . . . The area is full of plastic bottles, cola cans and other litter thrown from cars. . . Short and clear . . .

We have such a dirty environment that it immediately attracts the attention of outsiders. Zoning plans are not shaped by environmental awareness . . . Green spaces are under constant attack . . . Underneath all this lies the country’s lack of real ownership. What does pollution and environmental insensitivity have to do with ownership? It has a very deep relevance.

Human beings very easily and irresponsibly pollute what they do not possess and they will not take ownership after polluting it.

Let’s see how clean the TRNC, which is embraced in speeches and at summits, is. The cleaner it is, the more ownership will be taken.

That’s why we say and write that our problem is beyond environmental pollution. It’s that simple.