Prof. İbrahim Özdemir: “We Cannot Close Our Eyes to the Climate Crisis”

The second of the “COP31: Interdisciplinary Approaches in Climate Action” event series, organized by Üsküdar University COP31 Coordination Office, was held. Speaking at the event under the title “The Meaning and Importance of Interdisciplinary Approaches in Climate Action,” Prof. İbrahim Özdemir, a faculty member of the Philosophy Department at Üsküdar University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, emphasized that the climate crisis cannot be addressed solely through environmental engineering or scientific data. Özdemir, pointing out that different disciplines, cultural values, and ethical responsibilities must be considered together in solving environmental problems, highlighted the importance of strengthening environmental awareness for future generations and individual efforts.  

The COP31 Coordination Office, established by Üsküdar University, continues with the vision of scientific knowledge production, project development, social awareness, and interdisciplinary solution generation, aiming to integrate all its academic and administrative expertise with global climate action.

In this context, Prof. İbrahim Özdemir, a faculty member of the Philosophy Department at Üsküdar University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, addressed the topic “The Meaning and Importance of Interdisciplinary Approaches in Climate Action.” 

The online event was moderated by Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller, Assistant Director of the Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) and Head of the Environmental Health Program. 

“We Must Not Close Our Eyes to What is Happening Around Us”

Özdemir, emphasizing that we should not remain indifferent to environmental problems, drew attention to the importance of responsibility towards future generations, stating; “For our own children and grandchildren, we must not close our eyes to what is happening around us; we must not ignore it.” Özdemir stated that COP31 is an important opportunity for environmentalists, emphasizing that the climate crisis is a global issue and that international cooperation, shared responsibility, and concrete steps are crucial for its solution.

“We Cannot Be Content With Only What Environmental Engineers Say”

Özdemir stated that different fields of expertise must act together in the fight against the climate crisis; “In both climate and environmental matters, we cannot be content with only what environmental engineers say. We need to look at the issue holistically.” 

Citing the example of different specialists coming together to make joint decisions in hospitals, Özdemir stated that environmental problems should also be evaluated with the same understanding, drawing attention to the importance of contributions from psychology, law, economics, urban planning, and other fields.

“A Conscience That Doesn't Hear Is a Greater Disaster Than an Eye That Doesn't See”

Özdemir, emphasizing that indifference to environmental problems is a matter of conscience, quoted from José Saramago’s book ‘Blindness’; “People become blind not when they lose their sight, but when they lose their conscience.” Özdemir stated that environmental problems, from the mucilage in the Marmara Sea to the pollution in the Sakarya River, should not be ignored; “The most dangerous form of blindness is not wanting to see. That is, not wanting to see or hear the problems around us. This blindness leads societies to disaster, because an unhearing conscience is a greater disaster than an unseeing eye.”

Responsibility for Children Must Be Taken Today

Özdemir stated that the concept of environment is not limited to natural life but also encompasses human beings and social life; “When we say environment, we perceive not only the caretta carettas in Dalaman or the irregular logging in our forests, or just the mines, but all our people – the poor, the destitute, the villagers, the rich, the urban dwellers – as a social environment.” Özdemir noted that the social and economic consequences of climate change should also be taken into account, stating that environmental problems affect all segments of society and that it is important to take responsibility for children and grandchildren starting today.

Mizan: Common Ground for Different Disciplines and Cultures 

Özdemir also touched upon Üsküdar University’s work in the field of environment, mentioning environmentally sensitive curricula and policies, as well as zero-waste practices, environmental philosophy, and environmental technology philosophy courses. 

Özdemir also described the support given to the document “Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth.” Özdemir stated that environmentalists from different faiths and countries were consulted in the preparation of the document, emphasizing that environmental problems know no borders, and therefore different disciplines and cultures must meet on common ground.

“Don’t Fall for the Idea of “What Will Change If I Do It?”!”

Özdemir stated that individual efforts can also yield significant results, expressing that people should not fall for the idea of “What will change if I do it?” when it comes to the environment. Özdemir stated that small efforts can contribute to major changes over time, emphasizing that how future generations will live in the world should be considered today. 

Özdemir said that the protection of clean water, air, and soil is not solely the responsibility of environmentalists, but that different fields must act together.

“Everything Has Been Entrusted to Us”

Özdemir stated that the concepts of responsibility and trust hold an important place in Islam’s understanding of the environment, emphasizing that nature was not given to humans for unlimited consumption, and said, “Everything has been entrusted to us.” Özdemir, stating that in the Islamic intellectual tradition, the universe is seen as a book and nature should be evaluated within this understanding, expressed that the protection of water, seas, lakes, forests, and all living beings is a human and moral responsibility.

Environmental Sensitivity Must Be Addressed Together With Conscience and Morality

At the end of his speech, Özdemir once again emphasized the importance of responsibility towards future generations, stating that environmental sensitivity must be addressed together with conscience, morality, and altruism; “Being well-educated is not enough. One needs to be conscientious and enlightened. With the understanding from our intellectual tradition, we have responsibilities not only towards ourselves but towards all living beings.” 

Seminars Continue

In the third webinar, which will be held on October 21st, Assoc. Prof. Feride Kulalı Özdek, will address the topic of “From Nuclear to Hydrogen: Production Technologies and Future Perspective.”