Karabağlar event calls children to protect the environment for their future

An environmental awareness event, themed "Let's Protect the Future," took place at 100. Yıl Uğur Mumcu Park in Karabağlar, Turkey. The event saw participation from students of Cemil Meriç İlk Kurşun and Yunus Emre Middle Schools, alongside numerous stakeholders including Atatürk Industrial Vocational High School, the Chamber of Environmental Engineers İzmir Branch, İzmir Democracy University, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Karabağlar City Council, and İnci Foundation.

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Let's not throw trash into the sea

Sixteen distinct stands were set up to foster environmental consciousness through hands-on activities and scientific workshops. Topics covered included the recycling process of plastics, waste separation, the impact of microplastics, photovoltaic energy technologies, carbon footprint measurement, used cooking oil recycling, book and item exchanges, and zero-waste initiatives. Children engaged in designing new products from waste materials, learning about recycling in a fun and practical way.

A particularly notable aspect of the event was the platform given to children to express their views on environmental issues. Karabağlar Mayor Helil Kınay engaged with the young participants, who made impassioned calls such as "Let's not throw trash into the sea," "Let's collect the trash on the ground," and "Let's definitely separate our waste." The children strongly emphasized that protecting nature is equivalent to protecting their own future.

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Let's collect the trash on the ground

Mayor Kınay visited each stand, learning about the ongoing projects and interacting with the children. He thanked all participants and highlighted the global scale of the climate crisis and environmental challenges. Kınay stressed that environmental policy is a fundamental aspect of governance in Karabağlar, stating, "The determination we see in our children's eyes today and the message they give us is very clear: Protecting the environment is protecting life. Our children are not asking for favors; they want their basic rights: clean streets, breathable green spaces, clean parks, and blue seas. We cannot remain silent to this just demand; we must protect their future without any ifs or buts."

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Let's definitely separate our waste

The event also featured a performance by the İzmir Labor Theater, which presented themes of environmental awareness and love for nature through an engaging and entertaining narrative. The play was well-received by the children and the audience. Kınay concluded by emphasizing that environmental consciousness is not a one-day affair but a continuous struggle that should be maintained daily.

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Protecting the environment is protecting life.