Director of Communications Altun indicated that they were committed to taking all necessary steps to protect the environment in our Republic’s second century, and said, “In this regard, we will exercise our right to economic development and consolidate our role as a stabilizing actor and implement eco-friendly policies.”
Presidency’s Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun sent a video message to Anadolu Agency Environment Forum in English.
Expressing his pleasure to address the Environment Forum at the beginning of his remarks, Director of Communications Altun congratulated Anadolu Agency on bringing together such a distinguished and diverse group of participants to reflect on the media’s role in the age of climate change.
Director of Communications Altun noted that over the last twenty years, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has made extraordinary progress regarding environmental protection, saying, “In addition to planting billions of trees, our country launched the Zero Waste initiative to raise awareness and promote recycling.”
Emphasizing that, finally, having ratified the Paris Agreement last year, Türkiye remains committed to becoming carbon neutral in due time, Director of Communications continued his remarks:
"Unfortunately, we have seen, time and again, how certain governments and groups have attempted to exploit environmental concerns to further their respective agendas. Some foreign governments, which are frustrated with Türkiye’s economic progress and growing influence in key parts of the world, have been sponsoring a disinformation campaign against nuclear power and other forms of clean energy. It is certainly ironic that some of those governments are now reversing their own policy and, nonetheless, telling children to wear their coats in class because they cannot heat their classrooms. It is also noteworthy that the developed nations, which bear historical responsibility for global warming, continue to enjoy impunity – at the expense of the right of developing nations to economic and social development."
Director of Communications Altun indicated that against the backdrop of that smear campaign, Türkiye has been taking concrete steps toward addressing its energy need in a responsible and sustainable manner, and he expressed his pride in stating that most of their electricity comes from renewable resources today.
Director of Communications Altun said:
"We will continue to invest in renewable energy –including wind, solar and geothermal energy—to reduce our foreign dependence, diversify our sources, and take advantage of our nation’s God-given resources.
Despite facing various obstacles at home and abroad, we are committed to taking all necessary steps to protect the environment in our Republic’s second century. In this regard, we will exercise our right to economic development and consolidate our role as a stabilizing actor and implement eco-friendly policies.”
"Disinformation is a particularly serious threat when it comes to the environment"
Pointing that disinformation is a particularly serious threat when it comes to the environment, Director of Communications Altun noted that nearly ten years ago, certain radical groups in Türkiye, backed by foreign governments, attempted to use the environment as an excuse to overthrow our democratically elected government.
Director of Communications Altun stated that they disseminated a completely false narrative on social media to incite violence against law enforcement, public and private property, and Türkiye's religious citizens, and they spread disinformation about attempts to preserve public order.
"Those subversive activities were carried out under the pretext of promoting environmental protection," Director of Communications Altun said and added that is why informing the public in a responsible and truthful manner is a top priority.
Reiterating that the Parliament just passed the Social Media Law – a key step toward pushing back against disinformation and foreign influence campaigns, Director of Communications Altun said, "This latest step builds on previously-taken measures to ensure that social media companies comply with our nation's laws and to require certain online broadcasters, which act on behalf of foreign governments, to acquire the necessary license and permits."
Director of Communications Altun said they would continue to take all necessary steps to defend the Turkish people against disinformation, psychological operations and influence campaigns, and continued, "In this regard, I applaud Anadolu Agency, our nation's top news source, for launching the Green Line to report on the environment – which is an area that our government has taken major steps and made significant achievements."
"I am confident this project will raise awareness"
Director of Communications Altun said it is no secret that there is insufficient coverage of the environment and climate in the media and that part of the problem is the way the media works – that there is not a lot of room for detailed discussion or technical details.
Noting that people instead tend to focus on the symptoms such as floods, heat waves, and drought, Altun added, "I am confident that this project will not only raise awareness about environmental protection in the public sphere but also deliver a meaningful response to those groups that have been exploiting the environment for subversion."
Director of Communications Altun concluded his remarks by thanking everyone at Anadolu Agency for hosting the Environment Forum.