Üsküdar Üniversitesi held the “Effects of Global Climate Change and Awareness Program” within the scope of the 3rd Scientific Research Summit. Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, Dean of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy, Faculty Member at Yıldız Technical University Institute of Science, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Toros, Faculty Member at Istanbul Technical University Institute of Science, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kırık, Head of the Visual Communication Design Department at Marmara University Faculty of Communication, participated as guests in the “Effects of Global Climate Change and Awareness Program”.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Nejla Polat: “Environmental degradations caused by climate change cannot be remedied in a short time”
The opening speeches of the program, which began with a moment of silence and the recitation of the National Anthem, were delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr. Nejla Polat from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication, Public Relations and Publicity, and Researcher Nihal Koncu Akhuy, Advisor to the Strategic Research and Development Club (ÜSAK).
Speaking at the opening of the program held at Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, Assist. Prof. Dr. Nejla Polat from the Faculty of Communication, Public Relations and Publicity, pointed out the necessity of having the power to change and improve many things to protect the world we live in, save our future, and make it livable. Polat stated, “As individuals, we must raise awareness, educate those around us, and take significant steps against global warming and climate change, which have become a global threat. We must do this immediately because we cannot remedy the environmental degradations and changes caused by climate change in a short time. It is important to implement national, regional, and global measures and policies to prevent global warming.”
Following the opening speech, the session on “Effects of Global Climate Change and Awareness,” moderated by Nihal Koncu Akhuy, a graduate of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Advertising Design and Communication Department and a researcher, commenced.
Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy: “We will be water-poor by the 2030s”
Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy, Faculty Member at Yıldız Technical University Institute of Science and the first speaker of the session, addressed the relationship between climate and weather in his presentation titled 'Climate Change and Its Effects on Civilizations'. Ersoy said; “The atmosphere formed over approximately 3.5-4 billion years through various stages, but we managed to damage it significantly in just 100 years. If there were no atmosphere, the difference between day and night would be close to forty degrees, making life impossible. If insufficient measures are taken, water resources will decrease. In the last 50 years, we were the best country in terms of water resources in the Mediterranean, but as it gradually decreases, we will be water-poor by the 2030s. We need to adapt ourselves accordingly.”
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur: “Climate changes lead to infectious diseases”
Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, Dean of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine, emphasizing the effects of climate change on health, stated; “There are climate-sensitive health group risks. Those who carry these risks are especially people living in underdeveloped countries. Extremely hot or cold weather not only leads to deterioration in air quality but also causes vector-borne diseases to spread easily. Climate changes lead to infectious diseases. Approximately 250,000 people also lose their lives each year just due to heatstrokes.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kırık: “The concept of 'climate journalism' needs to be introduced into literature.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kırık stated that the issue of climate crisis and climate change is not given enough importance on social media, and that there is a lack of the required level of impact and awareness; “If we can create engaging content that utilizes the power of social media, we can raise awareness. For this, special days can be chosen, campaigns can be organized, and schools can be involved in this process. Because we do not have enough knowledge on this subject. From a social media perspective, I believe there is no specific awareness regarding the climate crisis and climate change. We should ask people what the climate crisis is. Here, I think both the media and social media users need to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. Because we all live in this world, and the climate crisis affects every aspect of our lives. Perhaps today, the concept of 'climate journalism' needs to be introduced into literature. The concept of climate journalism needs to be introduced via social media, and we need people who can explain this in a sincere language. If the climate crisis continues, we must act knowing what consequences await nature. Why has humanity remained so indifferent to the nature it lives in? Perhaps we are the last people who can prevent the climate crisis.”
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Toros: “I believe that the education of the future is teamwork”
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Toros; in his speech titled 'Evaluation of Turkey's Climate Change from Meteorological Data, Where is Turkey in Climate Change,' stated that human-induced global warming and climate change lead to an increase in temperatures, and also highlighted that the era we live in is the age of data. Toros said; “We are experiencing rapid change. Great responsibilities fall upon all of us. Therefore, we need teamwork for a good future. I believe that the education of the future is teamwork. We must fulfill our duties.”
At the Scientific Research Summit, participants were presented with sapling certificates, and the program concluded with a group souvenir photo.