Zero emission target saves lives!

Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş from Üsküdar University COP31 Coordination drew attention to the fact that the zero emission target is not only an environmental necessity but also a vital public health policy. Karakaş stated that air pollution caused by fossil fuels triggers many health problems, from cardiovascular diseases to cancer and Alzheimer's, emphasizing that extreme heat, drought, and forest fires increase the risks, especially for children, the elderly, and chronic patients, and called for early action. 

Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş from Üsküdar University COP31 Coordination, Environmental Health Program of the Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO), evaluated the importance of the zero emission target for human health.

Air pollution increases the risk of premature death!

Stating that the zero emission target is an important step towards protecting public health beyond combating climate change, Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş said, “The zero emission target is both an environmental goal for combating climate change and an important public health policy. With the use of fossil fuels, pollutants such as carbon dioxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere. These pollutants can increase the risk of premature death by playing a role in the development of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory system diseases, cancer, and also Alzheimer's.”

Karakaş stated that climate change does not only affect human health through air pollution, adding, “Climate change causes extreme heat, drought, floods, forest fires, and difficulties in accessing clean water and food. These conditions lead to an increase in infectious diseases, directly and indirectly threatening human health. A growing health burden is emerging, especially in terms of heat-related deaths, food insecurity, loss of working capacity, and risks of infectious diseases.”

Energy demand and fossil fuel use in Turkey must be decoupled!

Karakaş stated that one of the most significant problems Turkey faces in reducing its carbon emissions is the inability to sufficiently decouple economic growth and increasing energy demand from fossil fuel use, adding, “In addition to energy production, industrial sectors, transportation, and urban structures that encourage private vehicle use are key areas requiring transformation. Investment costs required for transitioning to clean production technologies, access to finance, adapting electricity grids to renewable energy, and developing energy storage capacity are also factors influencing the transformation process.”

“Energy efficiency, public transportation, circular production, waste reduction, and behavioral change must be addressed together,” said Karakaş, adding, “By holistically planning transportation, buildings, food, and consumption policies, emission reductions can be achieved while maintaining a high quality of life.”

Cities must be planned to reduce private vehicle use!

Karakaş stated that city planning is as decisive as individual preferences in reducing transportation-related emissions, adding, “Individuals choosing to walk and cycle for short distances, using public transportation, and reducing private vehicle trips can contribute to reducing transportation-related emissions. However, the reduction of transportation-related emissions should not be left solely to individual choices.”

Referring to the importance of designing cities in a way that allows people to reach their daily needs at shorter distances, Karakaş continued:

“Cities need to create safe and uninterrupted pedestrian and bicycle paths, expand accessible and rapid public transportation systems, convert public transportation fleets to low-emission vehicles, and plan residential areas so that people can access basic services at short distances.”

Karakaş stated that electric vehicles are also an important option for reducing emissions, adding, “However, the total climate benefit of electric vehicles depends on the source of electricity used and the entire life cycle of the vehicle.”

We unknowingly increase our carbon footprint at home!

Karakaş stated that some choices made in daily life can increase energy consumption and carbon footprint, adding, “Over-heating or over-cooling homes, insufficient building insulation, using low energy efficiency devices, leaving electrical devices on or in standby mode, and operating machines without reaching full capacity are the main behaviors that increase energy consumption in homes.”

Karakaş reminded that the individual carbon footprint is not limited to electricity and fuel used in homes, adding, “Transportation methods, the production of purchased goods, the habit of frequently replacing items, and waste generation are also important components of the total carbon footprint. Therefore, consumption habits in daily life need to be reviewed.”

Every food item thrown away means a loss of water and energy!

Karakaş stated that food waste is an often overlooked but significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, adding, “When a food product is thrown away, not only the product but also the water, energy, fertilizer, land, packaging, and transportation resources used in its production are wasted. Global food systems have a significant share in total greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the entire chain from production to consumption needs to be considered.”

Karakaş stated that extending the lifespan of products, in addition to reducing food waste, is also important, adding, “Buying only what is needed, reducing food waste, using products for a long time, repairing, and reusing are effective steps that can be applied in daily life.”

Transition to renewable energy is one of the fundamental conditions for net-zero emissions!

Karakaş stated that the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind plays a decisive role in achieving the net-zero emission target, adding, “The transition to renewable energy sources is one of the fundamental conditions for the net-zero emission target. Shifting electricity generation towards low-carbon sources like solar and wind enables the reduction of carbon emissions through clean electricity not only in the electricity sector but also in transportation, buildings, and some industrial processes.”

Karakaş pointed out that renewable energy technologies should be evaluated throughout their entire life cycle, stating, “Life cycle-based studies show that wind and solar energy have much lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, even when production, infrastructure, and material use are taken into account. Although the installation of renewable energy technologies requires a certain amount of energy and materials, this does not negate the climate benefit of renewable energy when compared to the high and continuous emissions resulting from the use of fossil fuels.”

Renewable energy alone is not enough!

Emphasizing that the widespread adoption of renewable sources alone will not be sufficient in energy transformation, Karakaş said, “Increasing energy efficiency, developing energy storage systems, strengthening electricity grids, and implementing low-carbon technologies in industry are necessary. It is also important for renewable energy investments to be subjected to environmental assessment in terms of land use, biodiversity, water resources, and waste generated at the end of their life cycle.”

Children, the elderly, and chronic patients are most affected by the climate crisis!

Karakaş pointed out that delaying emission reduction will further exacerbate environmental and social risks in the coming years, stating, “The delay in emission reduction will lead to more frequent and intense occurrences of extreme temperatures, droughts, forest fires, heavy rainfall, and floods. This process will create interconnected risks for water resources, agricultural production, food security, ecosystems, energy infrastructure, and human health.”

Karakaş stated that climate change does not affect all segments of society equally, adding, “Climate change can activate numerous simultaneous and reinforcing threats to human health, water supply, food access, the economy, and infrastructure. Children, the elderly, individuals with chronic diseases, outdoor workers, and economically disadvantaged groups are at higher risk.”

Reducing emissions can also lower healthcare costs!

Emphasizing that combating climate change can provide significant gains not only for future generations but also for today's societies, Karakaş said, “With steps taken today, short-term social benefits such as improved air quality, reduced healthcare expenses, strengthened energy security, the creation of more livable cities, and the development of new employment areas can be achieved.”
Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş pointed out that the zero emission target should be considered a common goal of health, energy, transportation, industry, and urban planning policies, alongside environmental policies, and emphasized that holistic steps towards emission reduction are of great importance for both environmental protection and the improvement of public health.