Advocacy Activities of Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations in the Protection of Coastal Areas

Özet

The degradation of coastal areas, which encompass numerous ecological, economic, social, and cultural values, has been increasing in recent years. Deterioration of coastal regions, caused by factors such as urbanization, housing, agriculture, tourism, and climate change, is being countered through effective legal and political efforts. One of the strong actors engaged in this endeavor is Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs). Advocacy activities are a crucial tool for environmental NGOs that aim to preserve natural assets like forests, marine, and coastal areas. Advocacy, characterized by robust activism and engagement, holds significant importance in the preservation of coastal areas. In this context, this study aims to elucidate the impact of environmental NGOs in advocacy efforts dedicated to safeguarding one of Turkey's most sensitive ecosystems, the coastlines. The study also seeks to determine which advocacy mechanisms these environmental NGOs utilize most effectively. The research involved an analysis of various sources, including newspaper articles, NGO websites, social media accounts, activity reports, press releases, and publications. The findings of the study indicate that environmental NGOs effectively employ a comprehensive range of advocacy mechanisms to protect coastal ecosystems. Additionally, it was observed that nationally organized environmental NGOs tend to focus more on knowledge-based advocacy approaches, while locally organized NGOs emphasize action-oriented advocacy strategies. Resorting to legal action emerged as a favored and frequently utilized advocacy tool for both local and national environmental NGOs.