In southern Türkiye, Nejla Işık has, since 2019, symbolized the resistance of the village of İkizköy and the Akbelen Forest against a powerful mining empire. This local fight against coal poison has evolved into a true battle for the climate. The summer of 2023 marked a turning point: the felling of trees sparked national mobilization and drew the attention of international media. A symbol of resilience, Nejla was recently elected head of the village. What role does activism play in combating climate change? How are climate and democracy interconnected? Through her struggle, Nejla reminds us of our shared responsibility to act in face of the climate emergency.

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“In essence, the devastation and destruction of nature is the same thing as what happens to women, children and animals. This is the capitalist system, unfortunately.” denounces Nejla, pointing to the open-cast coal mine that has been ravaging her homeland for the past 40 years. Just two hours from Bodrum, this olive-growing region has fallen victim to an ecocide. Successive waves of deforestation and expropriation have wiped out 23 of its 60 villages. The local community is grappling with the devastating consequences of this mining juggernaut: polluted water, air, and soil, along with serious health impacts. To make matters worse, uncontrollable wildfires now threaten the region and all of Türkiye. When İkizköy faced the same fate, Nejla declared, “Our fight for land, clean air, water, and a life with dignity, turned into a battle for climate.”

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The Akbelen resistance echoes the tragic story of Lutzerath in Germany and aligns with global climate advocacy and activism. It stands at the forefront of the struggle against fossil fuels, the primary driver of climate change.

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Climate activism: the emergence of a global movement driven by young people
 

Climate activism has become a powerful collective response to the growing awareness of climate issues, driven by pioneering organizations like Greenpeace, as well as scientists and grassroots activists. Since 2018, movements such as Fridays for Future, founded by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have mobilized millions of young people worldwide. These efforts have brought to prominence iconic figures in the climate fight, including Camille Étienne (France), Luisa Neubauer (Germany), Vanessa Nakate (Uganda), Nicki Becker (Argentina), and Tori Tsui (Hong Kong).

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Through demonstrations, school strikes, and awareness campaigns, activists have intensified efforts to alert the public and hold governments and corporations accountable for their inaction. Their demands are clear: adherence to the Paris Agreement, the abandonment of fossil fuels, an end to funding ecocidal projects, and the preservation of biodiversity. A powerful example is Claire Nouvian’s (Bloom) ongoing battle against deep-sea mining.

 

The temptation of civil disobedience in the face of climate inaction

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With the rise of social networks, activist actions have become more intense and diverse. These include awareness campaigns, institutional lobbying, demonstrations at company headquarters (e.g., Stop EACOP vs. Total), shareholder meeting blockades (e.g., BNP Paribas), and site occupations (e.g., the A69 project in France). Scientific movements have also joined the resistance, with groups like Scientific Rebellion organizing airport blockades and new NGOs such as Extinction Rebellion in the UK leading bold initiatives.

 

In France, the movement formerly known as Dernière Rénovation, now Riposte Alimentaire, has drawn attention with audacious acts of civil disobedience, such as chaining themselves to a net during a Roland Garros match or blocking the Tour de France. Similarly, in England, two Just Stop Oil activists made headlines by throwing soup on Van Gogh's Sunflowers at the National Gallery, actions for which they were recently sentenced to prison. While critics label these activists as eco-terrorists or accuse them of damaging the cause, their non-violent yet radical tactics have undeniably advanced public debate. These actions often shift the “Overton window”, a concept explained by Thomas Wagner of Bon Pote as follows: “These actions can make forms of resistance previously considered extreme more acceptable.”

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In the face of climate urgency, political inertia, and ongoing media denial, such actions are seen by activists as necessary, even without definitive scientific proof of their effectiveness. Andreas Malm, in his book How to Blow Up a Pipeline, advocates for a “more radical struggle in a world on fire,” drawing parallels with historic movements like the Suffragettes in early 20th-century Britain or the ANC's fight against apartheid in South Africa.

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Turkish activism: a movement for democracy and the environment

 

Türkiye's environmental movement is deeply intertwined with the struggle against democratic regression, especially as the visible impacts of climate change intensify. Although Türkiye ratified the Paris Agreement in 2021, the government faces consistent criticism for its lack of meaningful commitment and continued reliance on coal, which supplies 30% of the country’s energy needs. Local and rural communities in Turkey have historically been at the forefront of resistance to ecocides, from opposing resource extraction projects in the 1970s to more recent struggles in the Ida Mountains and around the proposed Istanbul Canal.

 

A significant turning point came in 2013 with the Gezi Park protests, which united local resistance movements, NGOs, and students in a powerful coalition. However, the crackdown following the failed coup in 2016 severely weakened civil society, including the environmental movement. Despite these challenges, rural communities remain vital hubs of environmental and political activism. As journalist Dilan Pamuk notes, “The environmental struggle is often led by older people, who have a better grasp of the law and legal remedies.” These efforts are increasingly supported by a new generation of young urban activists, such as Atlas Sarrafoğlu, Seren Anaçoğlu, and Ela Naz Birdal. In June 2021, these three activists launched a petition condemning President Recep Erdoğan's ecocidal policies, highlighting the growing role of youth in the fight for environmental justice.

 

In Türkiye, climate activism transcends environmental concerns; it represents a beacon of democratic hope in the face of an authoritarian regime, as exemplified by the Akbelen movement.

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Akbelen or a village's resistance to a new Turkish ecocide

 

“We've seen what's happened in other villages. Our crops, our homes, our lives, and these thousand-year-old trees are under threat,” says Nejla, a mother of two and leader of the resistance movement. Like many women in this olive-growing region near the Akbelen Forest, home to diverse Mediterranean flora and fauna, Nejla makes her living from farming and animal husbandry. The opening of the first thermal power stations in 1984 initially brought hope for economic development, promising jobs for the men of the region. But that hope soon turned to disillusionment as repeated expropriations displaced villages, environmental destruction escalated, and health issues began to emerge, threatening the area's agricultural resources.

 

In 1997, Turkish courts ordered the closure of the power plants. However, after being condemned by the European Court for failing to comply with this ruling, the government privatized the plants in 2014, selling them to IC Holding and Limak, companies closely linked to the state. Now, İkizköy finds itself under increasing pressure as YK Energy, a subsidiary of these corporations, pursues expansionist ambitions. “The villagers have sacrificed their land for coal to which they have devoted their lives, growing fruit and olives,” Nejla laments. Many neighboring villages have been forced to accept financial compensation, leaving their homes and livelihoods behind. In 2019, shortly after the local elections, residents of İkizköy received a notice warning that their forest and village were under threat. This marked the beginning of their collective resistance, a fight to protect their land, heritage, and way of life.

 

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               Portraits of Resilience - Nejla Işık - Akbelen Forest - June 2023 - Credit: Thomas Verjus
             

​From local action to national mobilization

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“We've been fighting patiently and hopefully for four years now,” says Nejla. During this time, the villagers have built a resilient and organized resistance. In 2020, they launched an Instagram page, managed by Esra Işık, Nejla's daughter, to amplify their voices nationally. By 2021, they had established a camp in the forest, where they conducted day-and-night patrols to monitor mining activities and protect the precious trees. The Akbelen resistance has garnered increasing support from Turkish civil society, with environmentalists, scientists, and lawyers joining forces with the villagers.

 

Under the banner of the “İkizköy Environmental Community,” they have taken their fight to the courts, determined to defend their rights and save the forest. “If there is justice, we will win,” Nejla asserts with conviction. Thanks to their lawyers, the community has filed more than six lawsuits and legal actions, targeting not just the mines but also the thermal power plants, key contributors to the climate crisis. Their efforts extend beyond Akbelen, seeking accountability for all of Türkiye, where “the Paris Agreement has been signed but remains unaccompanied by concrete action.” Among their notable victories was a trip to Parliament in Ankara in December 2022. There, they successfully lobbied against a proposed law threatening olive trees. The withdrawal of this law granted Akbelen a reprieve, demonstrating the power and impact of their mobilization.

 

July 24, 2023 or the first day of the rest of Akbelen's life

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In the summer of 2023, the struggle for Akbelen faced a grim turning point following the re-election of President Erdoğan. On the morning of July 24, tree-cutting operations began under police protection, leaving the villagers in anguish. Resistance escalated into acts of civil disobedience, including road blockades and symbolic chaining to trees, desperate measures by older villagers determined to protect their natural heritage. These actions were met with violent repression from the authorities. Despite this, the fight gained momentum on social networks, rallying NGOs, environmental movements, and opposition political parties to Akbelen’s cause. The struggle also captured the attention of international media, with outlets like BBC, The Guardian, Le Monde and El País highlighting the villagers’ plight. In a creative twist, the villagers called on FC Barcelona whose Camp Nou renovations were entrusted to Limak, the company operating the coal mine, further amplifying their campaign’s visibility.

 

On August 9, 2023, Nejla, alongside a delegation of villagers, addressed the Turkish Parliament to bring Akbelen's voice to the national stage. Sadly, her plea fell on deaf ears. By the end of the summer, over 50% of the forest had been destroyed. However, the story took a hopeful turn in March 2024, when Nejla was elected “muhtar” (village chief) in the local elections, a symbolic triumph against the backdrop of a national political debacle for the government. This victory was a defiant response to Erdoğan, who had dismissed the villagers as “marginal.” It also underscored the growing climate and political awareness among rural communities. Nejla’s election was not just a personal vindication but a recognition of her unwavering commitment to ecofeminism and social justice.

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Collective commitment, a key success factor for activism
 

For Nejla, the strength of the Akbelen movement lies in its ability to mobilize on a national scale while drawing on international solidarity. “We need to give the mobilization more scope. It's not something that can work on its own,” she insists. So how can we increase the scale of action by climate movements and activists?

 

Get informed by following ecological movements, activists and influencers on social networks to better understand the issues and draft laws (e.g.: stop EACOP on oil extraction, seabed mining, PFAS...).

 

Share and participate in activists' actions to give greater visibility to their actions, demonstrations, awareness campaigns or petitions. Beyond online petition platforms such as Avaaz or Change, the Chill app makes activists' voices and campaigns resonate.

 

Join the movement to take action through an NGO (Extinction Rebellion, Seasheperd, Friends of The Earth, etc.) or by supporting a local association committed to environmental and social justice issues.

 

Vote for ambitious climate policies at various elections. As a citizen, this is one of the most effective ways of supporting social change through the laws passed by those who represent us.

 

As Camille Etienne points out in her book Pour un basculement écologique, climate activism plays an essential political and democratic role, encouraging every citizen to make a collective commitment to accelerating the shift towards a new social project.

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Protecting our natural heritage through ecological education
 

In a changing world, Nejla insists that it is "essential to abandon overconsumption." She advocates for genuine ecological education from an early age, emphasizing the connections between consumption and production, respect for nature, and the importance of conserving water and energy. Nejla critiques modern lifestyles dominated by selfishness, money, and screens, and she envisions a more sustainable future for Akbelen’s ecosystem. Her proposals include “developing eco-tourism, cultivating value-added agricultural products, and installing solar panels on lands abandoned by mining activities.”

 

Her greatest pride lies in initiating this fight for her children, future grandchildren, and all generations to come to leave behind a worthy lecacy. She reflects on how the struggle has united and empowered her and the villagers, even as they face ongoing challenges.

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In Akbelen, the incessant noise of dynamite explosions has intensified the psychological pressure. Ikyzkoy embodies the long-term battle of climate activism against an old world that refuses to give in. Nejla is as resilient as the villagers. ‘Resilience’ is the theme chosen by the BBC, which has named Nejla one of the most inspirational women of 2024, alongside Gisèle Pelicot and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad. It's a richly deserved recognotion for a woman who is seeking to inspire a more collective commitment to tackling the climate emergency, with a powerful message and reminder: “don't regret not taking action”.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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KEY FIGURES

30% of energy needs supplied by coal in Türkiye (source: International Energy Agency)
Only 16% of energy supplied by renewable energies (wind and solar)
68% of the Turkish population is concerned about climate change (source: Ipsos, 2023)

 

DEFINITIONS​

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. Activism: a system of conduct that favours direct action, particularly in the political and social spheres (source: Larousse)

. Civil disobedience: militant action, generally peaceful, consisting of not submitting to a law for political or ecological reasons (source: Larousse)

. Ecocide: a serious attack on the environment, causing major damage to one or more ecosystems and leading to their destruction (source: Larousse)

. Overton window: concept invented by the American lawyer and lobbyist Joseph P. Overton to symbolise what is acceptable in a society at a given time and what is not (source: Tilt)

. Uprising: mass movement of revolt (source: Le Petit Robert)

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​​​​​​​​REFERENCES
 

Websites & Social Networks
-Akbelen Movement – http://www.instagram.com/ikizkoy.direniyor
-Climate Justice Coalition – https://twitter.com/iklimadaleti_k
-Union of Ecology – https://twitter.com/ekolojibirligi

 

Podcasts & Interviews

-Interview Nejla Işık – "Akbelen yuvamız, vermeyeceğiz!" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa0SsKvIeqM
-Interview Nejla Işık – https://www.seferikeci.org/2023/03/03/nejla-isik-akbelen-ormani-mucadelesini-anlatti/
-Video – Appel à la résistance (FR) - L'appel des activistes turcs à arrêter l'écocide dans la forêt d'Akbelen - YouTube

 

Documentaries & Books

-Documentary « Bigger Than Us » – Flore Vasseur – https://biggerthanus.film/
-Documentary (FR) « Pourquoi on se bat » – Camille Etienne & Solal Moisan - https://www.pourquoionsebat.com/
-Book « Petit Manuel de résistance contemporaine » – Cyril Dion
-Book « Pour un soulèvement écologique » – Camille Etienne
-Book « Comment saboter un pipeline » – Andreas Malm

 

Articles
-BBC - BBC 100 Women 2024: Who is on the list this year? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-4f79d09b-655a-42f8-82b4-9b2ecebab611
-RFI – Turquie mobilisation contre l’extension de mines de charbon (FR) - https://www.rfi.fr/fr/europe/20230806-turquie-mobilisation-contre-l-extension-de-mines-de-charbon*
-The Guardian – “In the battle to save the world’s forests, women are leading the resistance” - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/26/world-forests-women-akbelen-turkey-india-brazil-developers*
-BonPote – « C’est contre-productif, ça dessert la cause, l’activisme est-il toujours efficace ? » (FR) –  https://bonpote.com/cest-contre-productif-ca-dessert-la-cause-lactivisme-est-il-toujours-efficace/*
-Yektin Report - https://yetkinreport.com/en/2023/08/01/akbelen-case-dilemma-of-environment-energy-and-obligations/

 

Thesis
-Thesis “The Effect of Social Media on the Decision-making Processes of Rural Environmental Activists:˙ Ikizköy Resistance” by Merve Yilmaz (2024)

 

 

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