Unguided Blog

I have always been against nuclear energy and construction of reactors in Turkey, but my objection is based on cultural grounds rather than scientific reasons. We seem to be somewhat relaxed and can not be bothered with procedures, specifications, rules, policies, so and so forth. This attitude is a sort of survival skill in a troubled part of the world and help us overcome a lot of problems. However, combine this with nuclear energy, frankly speaking, the first thing I would do is run away, fast, very fast. I simply can not imagine Turks running and operating a nuclear site.

On the other hand, I have always assumed Finnish (had a few first-hand acquaintances) to be cool-minded but warm-blooded people. Compared to French who can be temperamental but still logical (maybe because of Descartes and Lagrange), I thought the Finnish-French combination would produce good results. If there were any people who could build a nuclear reactor, if that was the only choice, this would be the ideal partnership.

I can not tell how disappointed I am after reading the safety procedures are in disarray at Finland’s Olkiluoto 3 nuclear construction site at Greenpeace blog. The contractor, French company Areva, is not only 2-3 years behind schedule, 70% over the budget and experiencing 1,500 construction defects along with a damaging fire, but also failing to implement vital safety procedures in the construction of its prototype European Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR) in Olkiluoto, Finland. What is worse, the Finnish nuclear safety authority STUK, and the country’s electricity generator TVO have all been aware of these problems and yet the necessary vital safeguards have not been implemented.

If this does not prove what a dangerous proposition nuclear energy is, what does?

A small victory for all lovers of nature and environmentalists. Yesterday, Izmir 1st Court canceled a government regulation which would allow construction of 14 golf courses and hotels in Cesme-Alacati-Pasalimani region. It would really break my heart to see the region in my blacklist.

The Department of Culture and Tourism run by our assholystic[1] government desperately in need of money to buy strips of land in the heavens were about to wipe out the remaining forests of gum trees (you can find them only here in Turkey) and the endemic huile de cade (lat. juniperus macrocarpa).

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In the name of following a balanced and less biased view, contrary to what they did to forests in Belek, Antalya, the government did the right thing to protect the sharks (lat. Carcharnius Plumbeus) by closing the Boncuk Bay in Marmaris, Mugla to all. Boncuk Bay is the only place in northern hemisphere where these lovely animals lay their eggs (the second one being in South America).

After giving them a ticket of approximately 15000 usd for renewal of toilets without permission, the authorities have shut down the only facility in the bay. The facility had 3 (three) rooms and a camping area and has been in service for 30 years.

I am aware that our beloved government seems like a pioneer of democracy in the eyes of the many, so I will not comment any further on the procedure. Renewal of toilets without permission, eh? One wonders if the visiting scientists, marine biologists, staff of environmental agencies etc will ever need a place to stay. Perhaps a better, more modern facility is required to ensure the safety of sharks, who knows? Think about it. A theme park of sharks that does not harm humans (they do not)! Instead of a family run business with three rooms, an amusement hotel run by a professional management perhaps? A group of wise people who know when and how to renovate toilets?

But a few things in the story are really amusing. For example let us read what the Governer of Mugla Dr. Ahmet Altiparmak said when asked to comment:

I learned the closing of the facility from the DHA reporter (yeah, that’s why the press is sooo important). I am investigating…

I am, too.