Greenpeace: İstanbul Experiences the Hottest November in 40 Years

* Photo: Greenpeace

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Meteorological data have shown that the average temperature has seen 21.7 degrees Celsius in İstanbul this November. However, according to the measurements made in the city since 1981, the temperature average of İstanbul in November is 11.7 degrees.

It has increased by 1.2 degrees in 50 years

This situation caused by climate crisis is neither a natural phenomenon, nor is it limited to İstanbul. The same meteorological data have shown that Turkey's average temperature has also increased by 1.2 degrees in 50 years. This rather low figure manifests that climate has changed in Turkey.

Between 1970 and 1978, the average temperature of Turkey was 12.7 degrees. From 1979 to 1987 and from 1988 to 1966, it was measured as 12.8 degrees. The average temperature first increased to 13.4 degrees between 1997 and 2006, then to 13.9 degrees between 2007 and 2016.

We are under the influence of severe drought

Some visible impacts of climate crisis in Turkey can be listed as follows:

• Almost throughout October 2019, the average temperature was above the seasonal normals.
• In 2019, the temperatures are as high as the ones in 2018.
• Turkey has been under the influence of severe drought for weeks.
• The trees that are supposed to blossom in April have blossomed in November.

'Turkey should ratify the Paris Agreement'

Greenpeace Mediterranean Climate and Energy Project Director Onur Akgül has stated the following in brief:

"The sunny days that we are experiencing in İstanbul are not natural at all. These abnormally high temperatures in November stem from the climate crisis deepening as a result of human activities.

"The use of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil and high carbon emissions are increasing the temperatures and turning the seasons upside down. Human activities have already resulted in a 1-degree increase in world temperature in comparison with pre-industrial period. Turkey is located in one of the regions that will be affected by climate crisis the most.

"Climate change, which is gradually evolving into a crisis, confronts us with drought and unnatural disasters. Turkey needs to take action and the Parliament needs to ratify the Paris Agreement, which it signed 3.5 years ago, immediately in order to slow down these effects and to stop the rot." (PT/SD)