ISTANBUL
Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdogan on Thursday underlined the importance of the media in addressing environmental issues.
“The media has a unique role and importance in solving environmental problems,” Erdogan said at the first Türkiye Environment Forum in Istanbul.
“It is a vital problem that directly affects 7.5 billion people and all living beings. Like the whole world, we can only break this impasse through global solidarity,” she said.
“According to a study, people only get news about global warming once a month,” she said, adding, “It’s really sad that it gets so little coverage in the media because our future depends on understanding this problem”.
She said that Turkey is a global player in environmental issues and that its actions, including the Zero Waste Project launched in 2017, have won very important international awards.
“I am happy to say that we have received requests from many countries to share our Zero Waste experience.”
In addition, she expressed satisfaction with Anadolu Agency’s approach to environmental issues.
“I appreciate that they have increased their efforts by creating an environmental editorial unit in the near future.”
After his speech, Erdogan presented gifts to Arturo Larena, climate director of the EFE agency, and Eric Solheim, former executive director of UNEP and former Norwegian climate and environment minister.
Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Anadolu Agency, Serdar Karagoz, also presented Erdogan with a camera made entirely from recycled parts.
The one-day forum aims to address issues such as the need to create a new media language on environmental and climate issues, international news agencies raising awareness around the world, the duties of traditional and new media and the pursuit of awareness to the environment in the news. areas.