Ecology

30% of animal species face extinction, report suggests

The world is experiencing a “biological annihilation” of its animal species because of humans’ effect on the Earth, a new study has found.
Researchers mapped 27,600 species of birds, amphibians, mammals and reptiles — nearly half of known terrestrial vertebrate species — and concluded the planet’s sixth mass extinction even was much worse than previously thought.

Producers lobby in Ankara bid to halt controversial draft law on olive groves

Representatives from Turkey's olive industry met two top officials on June 7 in a bid to halt a contentious draft law, which will make it possible for the building of industrial facilities on olive groves if "public interest" can be imputed under the supervision of a preservation board. 

Don't touch my olive

One of the most favorite hashtags on social media nowadays is "#zeytinimedokunma," meaning "don't touch my olive." This is a hashtag used by everyone who is opposing a bill that will jeopardize the future of olive trees in Anatolia, which is considered the homeland of olives. 

Turkish industry minister says new draft law will not harm olive trees

Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Özlü has vowed that he would withdraw a controversial draft on olive trees if it "harmed even one olive tree." 

"If I know that even one olive tree is going to be cut down because of this law, I will withdraw it," he said in the northwestern province of Düzce on June 4. 

New production package puts Turkey's olive trees at grave threat

Turkey witnessed a heated debate over the fate of its olive trees this week during voting on a production reform draft in parliament. Although some provisions were left out by the government amid severe opposition from various parts of the society, a number of key provisions remained the same the extent that "olive trees will no longer being subject to legal protection," according to opposition

Board established to oversee Turkey's olive groves amid opposition criticism

A parliament commission, founded to discuss the contentious "Production Reform Draft Law," has decided to establish an "Olive Grove Preservation Board" following the removal of a controversial article that would ease the path to industrial activities on protected olive groves. 

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