First Lady Erdoğan sends video message to World Habitat Day event

First Lady Emine Erdoğan sent a video message to the World Habitat Day event, held in Cameroon's capital city of Yaoundé, at the invitation of UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

In the message, the First Lady marked the World Habitat Day 2021 and recalled that the Habitat II, hosted by Istanbul in 1996, had resonated across the world.

"WE ARE THE FINAL GENERATION TO STEER THE COURSE OF GLOBAL WARMING"

"Environmental reports raise the alarm that climate change is caused by humans. Our carbon footprint is unfortunately getting bigger and bigger every passing day because of growing urbanization as well as unsustainable production and consumption models," the First Lady warned. "A global action plan should immediately be implemented. Tomorrow might be too late. We should keep in mind that we are the final generation to steer the course of global warming. We should put into action such methods of resolution as green energy, cyclical economy and clean technology. We should design and administer our cities with an eco-friendly understanding."

"WE ARE IN NEED OF A MENTAL TRANSFORMATION THAT WILL MAKE US FRIENDLY AGAIN WITH THE ENVIRONMENT"

Underscoring Turkey's readiness for global cooperation for any kind of environmental efforts aimed at reducing the effects of climate change, First Lady Erdoğan drew attention to Turkey's ongoing preparations to ratify the Paris Climate Agreement, and added: "The environment and climate crisis is an issue that is to be addressed not only by governments and international organizations but also by individuals. That is so because a lasting solution to this issue can be found only after individuals change their behaviors. We are in need of a mental transformation that will make us friendly again with the environment."

"SOCIOLOGISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS SHOULD WORK JOINTLY FOR A BETTER ECOLOGICAL FUTURE"

Noting that the COVID-19 offers also the keys to a new lifestyle, First Lady Erdoğan stated: "Remote working, for instance, may point to a new horizon in the designing of an eco-friendly life. Planning this process anew, which extends from transportation to the use of air-conditioners, offers an opportunity for new gains regarding the environment. I am of the opinion that sociologists, psychologists and communication professionals should work jointly for a better ecological future."