By Gokhan Celiker
ANKARA (AA) — A photo exhibition spotlighting climate change and environmental concerns, titled "Our Green Line: Environment," welcomed visitors in Ankara, Türkiye's capital.
The initiative, spearheaded by Anadolu in collaboration with Spain's EFE, Italy's ANSA, and Greece's AMNA news agencies, marked a significant milestone in environmental awareness.
Anadolu's President and CEO, Serdar Karagoz, opened the event, joined by Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Abdulkadir Polat, AMNA's General Manager, Aimilios Perdikaris, and dignitaries from diplomatic missions and the press.
In his keynote address, Karagoz underscored the urgent need to address forest fires, cautioning against their potential to inflict irreparable harm on ecosystems by reminding experts’ warnings.
"This permanent ecosystem destruction has profound implications for human health and the future of humanity," he cautioned, emphasizing that the exhibition aims to underscore the urgency of global climate change and environmental issues.
Karagoz noted Anadolu's launch of the Green Line in 2022, an editorial initiative aimed at raising awareness about climate change and environmental issues, and highlighted the agency's Environment Forum held in October 2022, which attracted international climate and environmental experts.
- Importance of climate journalism
Regarding environmental and climate journalism, Karagoz mentioned a joint declaration with ANSA, AMNA, and EFE at the forum to raise awareness in media and society about protecting Mediterranean forests.
He emphasized that the exhibition will feature "striking visuals" depicting recent global climate change and environmental challenges.
Highlighting the role of media in combating environmental degradation, Karagoz stressed that the concept of environmental and climate journalism has gained prominence in recent years.
He expressed hope that guests would be impressed by the exhibition's photos, emphasizing their importance in raising awareness.
Speaking at the event, AMNA General Manager Perdikaris also expressed gratitude for the invitation and stressed the importance of cooperation in addressing the climate crisis.
"In such matters, cooperation is paramount," Perdikaris remarked, underscoring the significance of raising awareness about climate change.
Deputy Minister Polat expressed pleasure in attending the exhibition's opening, thanking Anadolu for organizing the event.
He highlighted climate change as one of humanity's greatest challenges, with many international institutions working to address it.
Polat pointed out that the photo exhibition focuses on climate change and environmental issues, including prevalent natural disasters in recent years, and emphasized the role of international news agencies in raising global awareness and promoting environmental consciousness.
Following the speeches, Karagoz presented tree planting certificates to protocol and foreign agency representatives and reviewed the displayed photographs with guests.
Featuring 50 photos, the exhibition showcases images addressing climate change and environmental issues, both physically and digitally, and will remain open until August 30.