ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 133

Wind Energy Wind energy has been used currently in many countries due to its huge power, low cost and it causes air pollution. Turkey one of the countries that has the suitable conditions for wind energy and it can cover all the electricity needs. However, it did not utilize this abundant amount of energy. Sagbas and Karamanlıoglu (2011) stated that the potential wind energy in Turkey is approximately reaching 88,000 MW while Turkey only installed 12 wind power plants. However, in 2007, the wind energy installed capacity started to increase from 50 MW to reach 150 MW in 2008. Water Resources Conservation Ocak et al. (2004) ensured the importance of storing the runoff water in water storages during different time in the season. In order to use it when there is a need for it. Thus, the cleanness of the water resources in Turkey such as; Bosporus, lakes, river and underground water is very important. Cakmak et al. (2007) cited that the current legal management in Turkey is integrated and not enough to avoid the water pollution. Thus, there is a need for comprehensive regulation in order to establish a standards and law for using these resources. Strategies and adequate planning for pollution reduction in groundwater should be conducted. Proper construction methods and industry activities will enhance and increase the quality of groundwater. It can achieve by replacing the toxic raw materials and solvents with less toxic or nontoxic and increase the efficiency of the manufacturing process (recycle and reuse). Thus, design for waste reduction which should be issued in the planning phase (Granholm and Chester 2003). Some industries dump their waste in the groundwater instead of pay for warehouse to store their waste. The waste could be stored in old oil deposits because it works as geological trap (Sviridova et al. 2007). Another solution for groundwater pollution could be implemented is fixing the leaky sewers and mains systems. This method could be expensive but in the long term the risk of the pollution will be higher. Geothermal pipes that contain fluids must be insulated well in order to stop leakage in groundwater (Sviridova et al. 2007). There are different methods of cleaning up the oil that spills in the Bosporus. The issues are that these methods are expensive and may result in GHG emissions. Thus, it will harm the aquaculture. So, avoiding spilling the oil in the sea is much easier than cleaning it. Biodiversity and Conservation of Forests Strategies and programs for conservation of forest product and increase the biodiversity should be implemented in sufficient way. Management for these programs is very essential in order to achieve the goal of them. These strategies will not be affective without the awareness of the public and their desire to change their behaviour in order to create a healthy sustainable environment. There are three actions should be taken in term of biodiversity which are; protection, research and development and utilization (Kaya and Raynal 2001). Turkey’s government should be aware about land degradation risks. In order to implement the policies that conserve the historical, cultural and natural resources, increase the biodiversity and protect the genetic resources. It should start with identifying the factors that threaten the biodiversity in forests and destroy the natural resources. Then, measures should be taken to stop the loss of natural habitats. Continuous researches and update methods to protect the land and forest from degradation. Policies, regulation and proper management should be accomplished. The harmonization between the objectives of the forest management system and the plant diversity should be assured. Thus, silviculture and forest engineering practices should be studied and Turkey’s environmental issues and challenges toward sustainability 131