Thousands march against fossil fuels in Turkey’s İzmir

A group of individuals and NGO members, who gathered in the Ilıpınar area of İzmir’s Foça district, marched for 2.5 kilometers to the Aliağa thermal plant’s slag field as part of the initiative. 

The “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” demonstrations have been carried out since May 4 cross 12 countries including Germany, the U.S., New Zealand, Indonesia, and South Africa.  

The march was also participated in by main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputies Musa Çam, Fikri Çağlar, and Mehmet Tüm, as well as the mayors of Aliağa and Foça.

Demonstrators said Turkey is planning to build 71 new coal thermal plants, four of which will be built in Aliağa, despite the country’s obligation to abide by the Paris Treaty, which stipulates countries to limit their fossil fuel production. 

“Aliağa is right next to İzmir, where four million people live. It already has four plants, one of which is a coal plant, as well as hundreds of industrial and petro chemistry facilities. Four more thermal plants are now also planned to be built. But we will defend these waters, all their animals including fish and seals, and all agriculture including olives and vineyards, the forests and the soil,” said  Ezgi Türetken, a member of the Foça Environment and Culture Platform (FOÇEP).