Over 600,000 signatures collected for climate crisis campaigns in 2023

The climate crisis continues to show its devastating effects all over the world. 2023 was the hottest year ever recorded. The number and intensity of climate disasters such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events increased, and temperature records were broken all over the world. In Turkey, temperatures in Eskişehir, Şırnak, and Şanlıurfa reached up to 49 degrees. November and December were recorded as the hottest November and December in the last 53 years. This situation has strengthened the fight against the climate crisis both globally and in Turkey, and has increased public demands in this direction.

OUR PEOPLE TOOK ACTION TO PROTECT THE FORESTS

According to the report, the most signed campaign of the year was the "Stop the Coal Mine in İkizköy Akbelen" campaign with more than 62,000 signatures. Other campaigns that received the most signatures were aimed at protecting forests rather than using them for purposes such as mining, power plants, or tourism. In addition, campaigns against mines and power plants, aimed at phasing out fossil fuels, especially coal, had an impact. The demands of young people for the protection of their climate and future rights found a response in public opinion. Furthermore, our people launched many petition campaigns for disaster-resilient cities following the February 6 earthquakes.

AKBELEN BECAME THE SYMBOL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STRUGGLE

Uygar Özesmi, Chairman of the Board of the Consumption Economy Association, stated, "Our team supported the petition campaigns launched by local people in many provinces. We met with them, provided training on campaigning and advocacy, and supported the campaign organizers in coming together with relevant decision-makers. Among these, the struggle that became the symbol of the environmental movement emerged on the morning of July 24, when trees began to be cut down for the coal mine in Akbelen Forest. We quickly went to Akbelen and supported the delivery of up-to-date news from the field to the press."

72 NEW CLIMATE CAMPAIGNS LAUNCHED IN 2023

Didem Korkut, Director of Change.org Turkey, commented, "It is promising and very gratifying to see that the struggle in our joint project is continuing to grow and strengthen. 72 new climate campaigns were launched in 2023, and the number of campaigns focused on net-zero greenhouse gas emissions is also on the rise. We are confident that all these campaigns will increase awareness and have a positive impact on Turkey's climate goals."

Esra Işık from the İkizköy Environmental Committee said, "Since the day they were established, the Yeniköy and Kemerköy Thermal Power Plants have continued to operate by polluting our air, water, and soil, and destroying our villages and living spaces to operate a coal mine. They do this right before our eyes, behind a large barricade where we are suppressed and obstructed with violence and battery, regardless of whether we are old or young, sick or not. Endless thanks to everyone who stood by us during these injustices, who did not remain silent against the violence we experienced, who gave voice to our voice, and who supported our petition campaign, and to the climate team that created this opportunity for us."

YOUNG CLIMATE ACTIVISTS CONVEYED THEIR DEMANDS TO DECISION-MAKERS

Yaz Güvendi, Climate Program Manager, who emphasized the importance of communication with decision-makers, said, "This year, we continued to support young campaigners in coming together with decision-makers and supporting the youth climate movement: Young people met with 5 mayors in Eskişehir, Tepebaşı, Odunpazarı, Edirne, and Tunceli. Climate activists visited 15 members of parliament at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). We continued to support young people at the local level. 14 university students from 7 provinces joined our newly launched Change Ambassadors program with 11 new campaigns."

News Source: 12punto