Izmir and Ljubljana unite to fight drought and protect wetlands
In the spring of 2024, the cities of Ljubljana and Izmir became sister cities under the European program for connecting Turkish and European cities for a green future. Both cities committed to jointly seeking solutions to address drought and preserve wetlands. The activities are in full swing, and the partners have already exchanged knowledge and experiences at international conferences and study visits, first in Ljubljana and later in Izmir.
In autumn, the Slovenian project partners, the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR), the City of Ljubljana (MOL), and the Bird Watching and Study Association of Slovenia (DOPPS), hosted a Turkish delegation, including the representatives of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. On September 4, 2024, they organized an international conference at City Hall, followed by a visit to the Ljubljana Marshes, one of our most important wetlands.
A month later, the Slovenian partners visited Izmir, participating in an international conference and visiting the impressive Gediz Delta, home to thousands of flamingos and over 300 species of birds. Despite their differences in size, Ljubljana and Izmir share similar landscapes and a special trait – both have sensitive wetland habitats at their urban fringes that demand ongoing conservation efforts. Both cities are also grappling with the impacts of drought and flooding, affecting agriculture and water resources.
The conference “Tackling Drought and Preserving Wetlands” in both Ljubljana and Izmir provided an opportunity for open dialogue on the challenges of climate adaptation, more responsible farming with greater respect for water usage, and fostering a society that values biodiversity conservation.
More than 20 top experts participated in the conferences. In Ljubljana, the event was opened by Nataša Jazbinšek Seršen (MOL), who emphasized the importance of the project for Ljubljana on its path to climate neutrality, as the city has just received the title of Climate Neutral and Smart City; msc. Lilijana Madjar (RRA LUR), who highlighted the benefits of global collaboration on shared challenges; and one of the leading representatives of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Ziya Çavdar. In Izmir, the opening remarks were made by the city’s Secretary General, Şükran Nurlu, stating that after centuries of environmental degradation, we are committed to start with intense conservation efforts. Dr. Lidija Globevnik (Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning) in Ljubljana vividly presented national efforts to address drought and floods, such as the Sušomer platform, which has been monitoring and predicting drought for years, enabling more effective agricultural decisions.
Wetlands are crucial for maintaining natural balance and act as carbon sinks, but they are among the most endangered ecosystems on Earth. Dr. Damijan Denac (DOPPS) presented two successful cases of revitalizing degraded wetlands in Slovenia, Škocjanski Zatok and the Ormož Lagoon, where hundreds of bird species began nesting just a few months after the restoration. Burçin Yaraşli from the Doğa Derneği organization in Izmir emphasized the challenges of wetland conservation in Turkey, where drought, urbanization, and improper irrigation are causing the loss of thousands of hectares of wetlands in this region alone. Both experts agreed that working with local communities is crucial for preserving these habitats, as only through raising awareness can we achieve sustainable stewardship of nature.
The conferences also highlighted examples of best practices in working with farmers for more environmentally responsible farming, closely linked to managing drought and preserving soil quality. Maruška Markovčič (MOL) presented local policies and initiatives that support organic and integrated farming, emphasizing the need to allow farmers to focus on producing quality food while easing their burdens through municipal advisory services on crop selection, fertilizer use, building construction, etc. MOL collaborates well with farmers, though there is room for improvement in providing sales channels that would relieve them of economic pressures.
Much can be learned from the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in this regard. While working with farmers there presents a much bigger challenge, and the severe water shortages drive farmers to harmful practices such as building private wells, which, combined with excessive and non-selective use of fertilizers, threaten groundwater, they boast a successful local food sales model supported by the municipality. As Ali Selim Alpaslan (Izmir Metropolitan Municipality) explained, they support a chain of so-called People’s Markets, offering affordable local food, and under the Izmirli brand, they sell products made from milk purchased by the municipality from small cooperatives. Izmir also seeks closer collaboration with farmers and the establishment of channels to more effectively advise them on fertilizer use, particularly in crop selection. Corn, grown for livestock, and cotton, the two main crops, require the most water, and too few farmers switch to drought-resistant crops like sunflowers. They plan to seek inspiration from MOL’s good practices.
Both Slovenian and Turkish experts agreed that supply chains are too long and involve too many intermediaries, that the key to a better future is diverse farming and increased self-sufficiency (currently at 50% in Izmir and 30% in Ljubljana), and that systematic consultation with farmers is necessary, along with offering them a clear management framework. Additionally, there should be a focus on educating young farmers, who are vital for the future of sustainable farming. The average age of a farmer in both Izmir and Ljubljana is 58 years. It’s also crucial to educate consumers about the benefits of eating quality, local food, as natural resources cannot sustain current population growth with the existing levels of comfort.
The exchange of experiences between the two cities will contribute to the development of an action plan for drought adaptation and wetland conservation, which is set to be completed by the end of 2024.
