Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday warned that climate change poses a grave threat to humanity, comparing its impact to that of war and global pandemics, while highlighting the achievements of Trkiye’s Zero Waste initiative. ‘The climate issue is a serious problem that threatens all of humanity, just like war and global pandemics,’ Erdogan said at the gala dinner of the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan emphasized that climate- and production-related problems, such as air pollution, food contamination, food shortages, waste management, and natural disasters, are interconnected in a ‘butterfly effect.’ He noted that these issues are increasingly impacting sectors including energy, transport, health, agriculture, and livestock. The Turkish president suggested that addressing the matter as a ‘climate crisis’ rather than merely ‘climate change’ would facilitate more rational solutions.
Erdogan also highlighted the global inequality in tackling the climate crisis. ‘The countries that have the largest share in deepening the climate crisis are also those least affected by this crisis,’ he stated. He cited a UN World Food Program report revealing that 43 million children worldwide are suffering from hunger, while wasteful consumption persists elsewhere.
The Turkish leader also addressed the global waste problem, referencing the ‘garbage continent’ in the northern Pacific Ocean, which spans 1.6 million square kilometers and consists of waste and plastic. Erdogan warned that without intervention, global solid waste, which was 2.1 billion tons in 2023, could rise to 3.8 billion tons by 2050.
At the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul, Erdogan underscored Trkiye’s efforts in environmental diplomacy. The event, which drew participation from over 5,000 people, including ministers from 183 countries and more than 500 international stakeholders, focused on topics like the circular economy and turning waste into economic value. Erdogan noted that the forum was particularly significant ahead of the COP31 climate summit, which Trkiye will host in Antalya in November.
Highlighting the international impact of Trkiye’s environmental initiatives, Erdogan spoke about the Zero Waste Movement, launched in 2017 under the leadership of first lady Emine Erdogan. The movement has gained global recognition and led to the declaration of March 30 as International Day of Zero Waste. Erdogan mentioned that the initiative has saved substantial natural resources and contributed 365 billion Turkish liras to the economy.
Erdogan concluded by expressing optimism about the future of Trkiye’s environmental efforts, including increasing the recovery rate of waste to 70% by 2053. The Zero Waste Forum, supported by UN agencies, aims to contribute to new environmental and climate actions.