As part of World Environment Day, participation in the activities held in cooperation with Atatürk University Environmental Problems Application and Research Center and Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Coordinatorship was quite intense.

The Environmental Problems Application and Research Center and the Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Coordinatorship, which carried out many activities on June 5, which was declared as World Environment Day with the decision taken at the United Nations Environment Conference held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972, organized panels, photo events, They signed an important program with waste separation activities, bird watching activities and many awareness projects.

The opening of the events was made with the panels held in the Atatürk University Cultural Center Blue Hall. The program, which started with opening speech of Director of Environmental Problems Application and Research Center and also Solid and Hazardous Waste Coordinator Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ceylan, was attended by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşe Bayrakçeken Yurtcan, Yakutiye Mayor Dr. Mahmut Uçar, Aziziye Mayor Muhammed Cevdet Orhan and Erzurum Deputy Governor Hamdullah Suphi Özgödek took the podium to make their speeches.

All Aspects of Climate Change Have Been Considered

After the protocol speeches, with the participation of the guests in the protocol, A The opening of the sculpture exhibition "From Waste to Art", prepared by Atatürk University Faculty of Fine Arts Sculpture Department Prof. Dr.Mustafa Bulat and his department. At the opening ceremony, A “Play for the Environment” music activities were performed by tatürk University Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Music Sciences Lecturer Prof. Dr. Özgür Sadık Karadaş and his students throughout the event. Then, organized by Environmental Engineering Faculty Members, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ceylan Within the scope of the "Climate Change" panel moderated by; prof. Dr. Hanefi Bayraktar “Climate and Climate Change”, Prof. Dr. Alper Erdem Yılmaz “The Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources”, Prof. Dr. Alper Nuhoğlu “Methods and Strategies for Combating Climate Change”, Prof. Dr. Okan Tarık Komesli, on the other hand, discussed all aspects of the "European Green Consensus". In the context of the Green Agreement signed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the climate ambassadors representing Atatürk University within the scope of both the "Environment Agency" and the "Climate Embassy" project created by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Eren and Environmental Engineer Şahin Korkmaz provided up-to-date information on the process.

Carbon Footprints of Participants Calculated

In the continuation of the activities, many workshops and outdoor activities were carried out. Within the scope of the event organized for students and other participants, the Carbon Footprint measurement was made, which reveals how much it personally affects the emission of CO2 gas, one of the atmospheric greenhouse gases. By calculating the number of trees required to neutralize this effect on an annual basis, awareness was raised that 1 sapling was given to people symbolically and 6 saplings should be planted in an average of 1 year.

Online Surveys Defined by QR Code

In another event organized, QR Code cards were distributed, which revealed the relationship between zero waste and climate change, measuring the awareness levels of the participants on this issue by conducting online surveys defined in QR code, and awareness-raising videos about the relationship between zero waste and climate change in all aspects.

Waste Minimization and Waste Separation Event Held

In another activity for primary and secondary school students; Recyclable / non-recyclable wastes that were previously collected as mixed and organic wastes generated during the event were practically separated into triple separation containers (blue-black-brown), and QR Code Cards containing awareness-raising videos on this subject were distributed. In addition, the game titled "Future of the World", in which 17 basic SDGs were explained, was played for this age group, and awareness was raised about SDG.

Compost Information Event Held

All participants were informed about the "Composting Bioprocess", one of the recycling techniques of organic waste, accompanied by posters. In addition, a sample of compost produced in the Atatürk University Composting Facility established by the Environmental Problems Application and Research Center was shown and the facility was introduced.

The Difference Between Recyclable / Non-Recyclable Waste Explained

Within the scope of the event, where pre-school students are not forgotten either, in order to introduce children to the concept of "Sustainable Environment" and to raise awareness about recycling by explaining the difference between recyclable / non-recyclable waste, painting and accessories, photography, waste with Yakutcan and Kirli Mırmır separation activity.

Bird Watching Tour Was Held As part of the Event
As part of the 5 June World Environment Day activities, a bird-watching trip was organized in the Erzurum Marshes wetland. It was emphasized that wetlands are of great importance both in preserving biological diversity and in minimizing the negative effects of climate change. Participants; They had the opportunity to observe the globally endangered Surmeli Lap (Vanellus gregarius) and Angit (Tadorna ferrugginea) birds from the migrating bird flocks during this season with birdwatching binoculars. Deputy Director of Biodiversity Application and Research Center Dr. Cemal Sevindi, 13th Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Erzurum Branch Manager Şelçuk Karakaş and accompanying technical personnel were accompanied.

Presenting the certificates of appreciation to the participants at the end of the event day, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ceylan thanked especially Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı,  the entire university family, who contributed, Çaykur Regional Directorate, students and participants.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE – 07.06.2022