World Ozone Day, which the Directorate of Climate Change marks every year, was celebrated this year in Sivas together with primary school children.
08 January 2026
World Ozone Day, which the Directorate of Climate Change marks every year, was celebrated this year in Sivas together with primary school children.
The events, held amid the enthusiasm of young students, aimed to instill awareness of ozone layer protection, strengthen environmental consciousness, and foster a sense of responsibility toward nature.
The program was organized in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and was attended by Deputy Director of Climate Change Mehrali Ecer.
Meeting with the students, Deputy Director Ecer shared information on the ozone layer and environmental awareness.
Stressing the importance of raising future generations with a strong sense of environmental responsibility, Ecer said: “We will hand over the world entrusted to us to our children, who are our future. Raising them with environmental awareness means protecting this entrusted world and passing it on to the next generations in a more livable state.”
Providing further information on what the ozone layer is and how it can be protected, Ecer added: “Yesterday we met with your friends in Hatay. Today we are here with you in Sivas, and tomorrow we will be meeting young people in Elazığ. Today we will watch the Hacivat and Karagöz shadow play, learn how to protect the ozone layer through our cartoon characters, take part in various activities, and spend time together. The main purpose of this event is to leave a beautiful world to you—our cherished students and future generations. Your responsibility will be to leave an even better world to your own children in the future.”
Following the opening remarks, students enthusiastically watched animated productions, as well as Keloğlan, Hacivat, and Karagöz performances prepared to raise awareness about protecting the environment and the ozone layer.
Through coloring activities and by creating models and puppets from recycled materials, the children enjoyed themselves while also developing environmental awareness.
The program concluded with storytelling and art workshops focused on climate change and ozone layer protection, followed by the distribution of gifts to the participating children.
In addition to Deputy Director Ecer, the event was attended by Governor Yılmaz Şimşek, representatives of local agencies in Sivas, and many primary school students.