Prof. İbrahim Özdemir, President of Üsküdar University's Environmental Ethics Platform, translated the 2026 field assessment report titled “Who is Really Talking About Climate?” published by Talking Climate Collaborative into Turkish.
Özdemir, who penned an introduction for the report examining the working conditions, target audiences, and needs of climate communicators in the US and Canada, drew attention to the role of talking about climate change in developing a sense of shared responsibility and social action.
“Science, ethics, and religion can complement each other”
Prof. İbrahim Özdemir, stating that he does not address climate and environmental issues solely through scientific data, expressed that as an academic working on Islamic environmental ethics, he values the relationship between scientific knowledge and moral responsibility.
Özdemir commented, “I also do not look at the environmental and climate issue solely from the perspective of scientific data. As an academic working on Islamic environmental ethics, I believe that while science tells us what is happening in the world and how the climate system is changing, ethics and religion ask us how we should behave in the face of this knowledge.”
Emphasizing that the responsibilities brought by scientific facts should also be discussed, Özdemir used the following expressions:
“Science tells us what is happening in the climate system; ethics and religion, on the other hand, help us consider the responsibility we bear in the face of this knowledge. When I look at the environmental issue through Islam’s concepts of trusteeship (amanah), balance (mizan), vicegerency (khilafah), and mercy (rahmah), I think that these two areas do not exclude each other; on the contrary, they can complement each other.”
It is necessary to relate scientific knowledge to people's lives
Stating that he has long followed the work of climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, Özdemir drew attention to Hayhoe’s approach of conveying scientific information to different segments of society. Özdemir, explaining that Hayhoe relates the climate issue to people’s own lives, values, and futures, emphasized the importance of communication established with various groups, from farmers to city and water managers.
Stating that this approach includes not only conveying information but also listening to the other party, Özdemir continued as follows:
“Instead of saying ‘I know the truth, and you should accept it’ as a scientist, she talks to people; she listens to their questions, tries to understand their concerns. She translates scientific information into a language they can understand. This is extremely important, especially on an issue like climate change, which has social, economic, cultural, and moral dimensions as well as scientific ones.”
“Talking itself is one of the starting points for action”
Özdemir stated that climate communication is part of climate action, noting that environments where people can share their questions and listen to each other create a basis for collective action.
Özdemir used the expressions, “Talking to people, asking questions, sharing what we know, and listening to each other are not merely communication activities. These are steps that prepare the ground for people to understand the issue, see themselves as part of this common problem, and ultimately act together.”
Emphasizing the importance of communicating about climate, Özdemir commented, “Talking about climate change is not an activity separate from climate action. Talking itself is one of the starting points for action.”
“It is also necessary to appeal to people's hopes and sense of responsibility”
Stating that a fear-based approach alone will not be sufficient in climate communication, Özdemir pointed out the importance of people feeling that they can be part of the solution.
Özdemir used the expressions, “We cannot mobilize people by fear alone. Knowledge is necessary; however, knowledge alone is not enough. It is also necessary to appeal to people's values, hopes, sense of responsibility, and the relationships they establish with each other.”
Evaluating Hayhoe’s approach within this framework, Özdemir said, “What Hayhoe does is try to reach this broader human domain without abandoning scientific facts.”
There is concern about climate, but communication is limited
The report translated into Turkish by Özdemir draws attention to the difference between the concern felt about climate change and the frequency with which this issue is discussed in daily life.
According to the data presented in the report, 63 percent of Americans and 71 percent of Canadians state that they are concerned about climate change. In contrast, only 20 percent of Americans discuss global warming with family and friends a few times a month or more frequently. 44 percent state that they never discuss the topic.
The report states that when people do not hear the climate concerns of those around them, they may assume that others do not care about the issue. It is pointed out that this situation, described as a “spiral of silence,” can also reduce people’s willingness to bring up the topic.
Responses of 210 climate communicators evaluated
210 climate communicators from the US and Canada participated in the field assessment conducted by Talking Climate Collaborative with researchers from the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity at American University.
According to the survey examining participants' working methods and needs, only 41 percent received dedicated funding for climate communication in the last five years.
Despite this, approximately eight out of every 10 participants publish content on climate change at least once a week. One third of the participants work alone, and another third work with 10 or fewer colleagues.
Another point highlighted by the report is that communication efforts largely target segments already involved in climate discussions.
“A common human issue we all need to talk about”
Prof. İbrahim Özdemir concluded his presentation by emphasizing that climate change should be on the agenda of all segments of society, with the following words:
“Perhaps this is exactly what we need today: to move climate change from being a topic discussed only by scientists, environmentalists, or policymakers, and make it a common human issue that we all need to talk about. Sometimes the most important action begins by talking to a person.”
