An environmental panel was organized in Esenyurt

Mayor of Esenyurt, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer, participated in the Environmental Panel organized on June 5th World Environment Day to raise awareness, draw attention to zero waste and climate change issues. Mayor Özer, highlighting that industrialization brings environmental pollution, emphasized the importance of creating environmental awareness in the public to leave a sustainable world for future generations.

On the occasion of June 5th World Environment Day, the Environmental Panel held at Esenyurt Şehit Erol Olçok Cultural Center covered in detail topics such as zero waste, climate change, recycling of packaging waste, carbon footprint, and sustainability. Moderated by former Minister of Culture Ercan Karakaş, the program had speakers including Prof. Dr. Ali Akdemir, Prof. Dr. Şükrü Aslan, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Fatih Altan, Assoc. Dr. Sinan Cansız, Melike Akkaya from ITU Department of City and Regional Planning, and Elif Güray Kayaduman, Member of the Consultation Board of Istanbul Recyclers Association (IGEDDER).

“Modernization also means waste”

Speaking at the panel, Mayor of Esenyurt, Professor Doctor Ahmet Özer, stated, “Mankind has two major struggles, one is a struggle against nature, and the other is a struggle against humans. The struggle of humans against humans brought out weapons. Weapons led to wars. Wars led to deaths. In just two World Wars, 70 million people died and an equal number were disabled. Our main topic is the struggle of humans against nature. This struggle brought out tools and equipment, which led to industrialization. We think we are doing something good, but with industrialization, the ship began to sink slowly. The world became polluted, the environment became dirty, if we continue at this pace, we are living now but two generations later they will face the greatest concerns. The agenda of the 21st century is the environment, the ozone layer is depleting, the world is becoming uninhabitable. Temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, if this continues, we are in danger in 100 years. In the last 50 years in Europe alone, the waste produced is more than all the waste produced by humanity throughout history. Because modernization also means waste. Therefore, we need to prevent this. On World Environment Day, I greet you all with love and respect, wishing for a cleaner world and hoping that it brings auspicious days by leaving beautiful gifts to the environment.