Yeşilay report links addiction to environmental damage

The Turkish Green Crescent (Yeşilay) has released the ‘Turkey Addiction and Environment Research Report,’ highlighting how addictive substances entering wastewater pose significant risks to ecosystems. While biological treatment plants can remove between 82% and 100% of these substances, research indicates that certain chemicals persist in water sources even after treatment.

Mehmet Dinç, President of the Turkish Green Crescent, emphasized that addiction is not merely an individual or social issue but a critical environmental concern that affects biodiversity, including birds, fish, and plant life. He noted that the addiction crisis is directly linked to global warming, pollution, and the preservation of biodiversity.

Dinç called for industry accountability, stating that manufacturers of addictive products and services should be held responsible for the costs of remediating the environmental damage they cause. The findings were presented ahead of the COP31 climate change conference.