With a population of 520,000, Çanakkale lies at the corner of the Aegean and Marmara seas. The city has hosted a number of notorious battles, including throughout the First World War, and has many historical monuments. Due to its favourable climate, dense forest, coast lines and the well-known Ida Mountains, Çanakkale is a hot spot for summer tourism and camping. Yet despite this revered natural landscape, Çanakkale’s residents breathe air which contains PM2.5 particles at a rate that is 20% higher than WHO’s recommended levels (12 µg/m3 of PM2.5).[1]
Unfortunately Çanakkale residents are at risk of breathing more polluted air in the near future, as the coast lines attract actors from the coal power and heavy metals industry. In addition to three existing active and two under construction coal power plants, a further 11 new coal power plants are planned for the city.