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13 June 2025

At the workshop held in Ankara within the scope of Türkiye Environment Week, the themes “Environment and Climate” and “Resilient Cities” were addressed in dedicated sessions. At the two-day workshop organized by the AK Party Presidency of Environmental and Urbanization Policies, Director of Climate Change Prof. Hasar delivered a speech under the theme “Climate Policies.”

In his speech, he noted that climate change is affecting the entire world and that Türkiye is located in the Mediterranean Basin, a region highly vulnerable to climate impacts, stressing that all countries must engage in a collective struggle.

Emphasizing that the period of debating climate change is now over and that the world has entered a time of crisis, Prof. Hasar said: “The period of debating the existence of climate change is now over, and what lies ahead is a period of danger that can already be identified through scientific data. If no action is taken, we will be among the countries most severely affected by this crisis. Our country is located in the Mediterranean Basin, a region highly vulnerable to climate change. Not only Türkiye but all countries of the world must engage in a collective struggle.” 

Director of Climate Change Prof. Hasar also made statements on the forthcoming Climate Law during his address delivered under the heading “Climate Policies” in the “Environment and Urbanization” session at the workshop. 

Some key excerpts from his remarks are as follows:

“Climate change leads to natural disasters.”

The world has experienced periods of warming and cooling; however, global warming reached unprecedented levels after the Industrial Revolution. The sharp rise in the use of fossil fuels and their widespread use in industry have further accelerated this warming, which has now reached dangerous thresholds and has begun to trigger natural disasters. Climate change is causing shifts in vegetation patterns, the loss of biodiversity, and an increase in floods and wildfires, ultimately leading to the disappearance of agricultural land and the emergence of food insecurity. If climate change is not addressed through a comprehensive collective effort, a global crisis now stands before us as a scientific fact. 

“There is a covenant of compassion between humankind and nature.”

In our belief system, there is a guiding principle. There is a ‘Covenant of Compassion’ between humankind and nature. It has always been humanity that has violated this covenant. It has always been humanity that has violated this covenant. This has always been the case. The global warming curve is now following a steep trajectory. Rising temperatures could render the world uninhabitable. Rising temperatures could render the world uninhabitable. Changes in vegetation patterns, declining diversity in agricultural products, shifts in natural cycles, and natural disasters are all consequences of this process. Rainfall amounts that would normally fall over a year now pouring down in a single day can become a disaster rather than a blessing.

Climate Law

“We are planning to organize Climate Talks in all provinces of Türkiye. We have encountered widespread disinformation in society regarding the Climate Law. At times, we are astonished by what we hear. At its core, the Climate Law is a protective rather than restrictive piece of legislation, which safeguards organic farming, promotes the expansion of forest areas, ensures our food security, and protects our water resources, and which Türkiye and future generations need. The irrational claims voiced on social media and other platforms have no connection with the law. There are no provisions involving restrictions, the termination of livestock farming, or the elimination of agriculture. In this context, we have been organizing programs titled ‘Climate Talks’ to provide the public with accurate and reliable information. By getting together with our citizens across the provinces of Türkiye in Anatolia, we inform them about the reality of climate change and the Climate Law. By getting together with our citizens across the provinces of Türkiye in Anatolia, we inform them about the reality of climate change and the Climate Law. When we engage in mutual dialogue, ask and answer their questions, they come to accept both that the law is necessary and that climate change is a reality. 

Director of Climate Change Hasar also briefed participants at the workshop on the Climate Law.

The workshop, which was held with broad participation, was attended by members of parliament, local administrators, academics, and numerous invited guests.