Atatürk University conducted a series of events to commemorate World Environmental Awareness Day.

World Environmental Awareness Day is an annual event observed on June 5th, with the primary objective of promoting awareness and understanding of environmental conservation. This significant day originated from a workshop conducted in the Cultural Centre Blue Hall, subsequent to the United Nations Environment Conference held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972. The workshop was attended by various dignitaries and officials, including Fevzi Polat, the Deputy Mayor of Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality, M. Cevdet Orhan, the Mayor of Aziziye, Mahmut Uçar, the Mayor of Yakutiye, Prof. Dr. Ayşe Bayrakçeken Yurtcan, the Vice Rector, and Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ceylan, the Director of Environmental Problems Application and Research Centre and Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Coordinator. Additionally, the event was also graced by the presence of numerous guests and students.

In assuming the role of keynote speaker at the commencement of the program, Professor Dr. Zeynep Ceylan expounded upon the concept that our planet has endured for a staggering span of four billion years. Furthermore, she posited that the intricate web of nature and its delicate ecosystem have been bestowed to humanity as a manifestation of the Divine.

Professor Dr. Ceylan asserts that safeguarding the trust encompassing its various components and passing it on to future generations is not a matter of choice but rather an imperative for humanity. The professor highlights that the consequences of global warming, such as the melting of vast polar glaciers, may lead to the submergence of small island nations inhabited by over 2 billion individuals. This would result in a significant alteration of global geography and the contamination of a substantial portion of freshwater reserves with saline waters. Consequently, it is inevitable that severe crises pertaining to potable water will arise worldwide.

Immediate Implementation of Radical Measures is Imperative

Due to this rationale, the professor asserted that it is imperative for every nation to promptly implement action plans, adding that the global and national strategies to address these issues encompass several key measures. These include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, implementation of a "Emissions Trading System" to effectively limit such emissions, gradual phasing out of fossil fuels in energy generation in favour of new and renewable sources, preservation and enhancement of forests and other carbon sinks, as well as the adoption of sustainable practices in transportation, construction, agriculture, and waste management sectors. The professor enumerated the potential benefits of mitigating and reconfiguring emissions resulting from waste by implementing proper waste management practices, recycling, and utilizing recycled materials as semi-finished inputs rather than starting production from scratch. These measures not only contribute to the sustainability of renewable energy but also promote the utilization of renewable raw materials.

Ceylan highlighted the significant achievements resulting from the initiatives undertaken by the departments of Atatürk University, founded under the New Generation University vision. Ceylan further mentioned his involvement in the coordination of the event, led by Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı, expressing gratitude towards all parties involved, including Ömer Çomaklı, for their valuable help.

The program concluded with the delivery of speeches and presentations by the invited speakers.

The awareness activities persisted throughout the entire day.

On the 5th of June, the activities for World Environmental Awareness Day persisted throughout the day, transitioning from inside hall programs to engaging outdoor activities. Alongside the sculpture exhibition, fashion design exhibition, and traditional Turkish arts exhibition, there was a notable level of engagement in the realm of action, featuring booths from several institutions, with particular emphasis on Çaykur. The kids engaged in awareness activities specifically designed for elementary and secondary school children. These activities included live music performances and educational sessions that aimed to educate the students about the significance and relevance of the day.

Corporate Communication Directorate - June 7, 2023.