RAINFORESTS VS SOYBEANS

Incoming policies will cause the European Union to harvest more wood, shift one-fifth of cropland to bioenergy and outsource deforestation, analysis shows.

The European Union is among the leading actors in the fight against climate change. While the EU is on the verge of implementing its ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (Fit for 55), it is not without its critics. In particular, it is emphasized that the EU's support for bioenergy (accepting zero emissions) will lead to more wood harvesting and the allocation of about one-fifth of the cropland for bioenergy.  

This is what many people think. In a world where hunger has yet to be prevented, it would be unfair to redirect agricultural production from its original purpose of food to energy.

Photo from Brazil. Rainforests are being burned to produce soybeans.

What is Fit for 55? 

The Fit for 55 policy package is a set of proposals to review and update land legislation and implement new initiatives in the EU.

The Fit for 55 packages refers to the EU's target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The proposed package aims to align EU legislation with the 2030 target.

Fit for 55 aims to provide a coherent and balanced framework to achieve the EU's climate goals;

• Ensure a socially just transition.
• Protect and strengthen the innovation and competitiveness of the EU industry, while ensuring a level playing field vis-à-vis third-country economic operators.
• Support the EU's leading position in the global fight against climate change.

LET'S NOT PAINT IT GREEN, LET'S GREEN IT!

The burden of being a communicator in the period we are going through is heavier than ever. It is not easy to talk about a sustainable future unless all parties are involved in the process and there is absolute cooperation between governments and non-governmental organizations. I attach great importance to our role as communicators in this cooperation and invite you to think about "sustainability communication".

What is the name of our job?

Under the discipline of public relations, we work to deliver the right message to the right place and to convince the stakeholders and target audience of the brands we represent of their strategic goals. These goals may vary on a brand basis. Therefore, learning what the brands we represent expect at the end of all the work to be done constitutes the most critical part of the short information we receive.

Up to a point

We public relations leaders leave the pursuit of daily messages and even hourly campaigns to the expertise of the advertising field, and we build a long-term structure by ensuring stability in fundamental discourses. If we are going to talk about "sustainability communication", we must accept that public relations and strategic communication consultancy are already the construction of sustainability communication. We are communicators working for the future, not for today from the first moment. And on a planet whose diseases are diagnosed with reports published one after another, the future, unfortunately, prevents us from thinking in pink and white. It is imperative that our action plans are greener, bluer, and more transparent.

What is Greenwashing? What is Greenwashing? By staying away from the problem of "greenwashing", which is a deception that should not be avoided and is actually a deception, and by adhering to transparency, sincerity, and ethical framework. Basically greenwashing. It is the lure of brands and companies to promote green messages, products, and efforts that are not actually in their genetics. This concept, which is translated into Turkish as "greenwashing" or "greenwashing", refers to "communicating a benefit" that puts the environmental, climatic or social damage of the main field of activity in the background.

For example, you pick up a product with a lot of additives and it says "We work for a green world". You might like it and throw it in your cart, or you might ask the following questions: "How do you work?" "What have you done so far?" "While food safety is such an important agenda, on which axis does your innovation work proceed? A very important part of our work is for the brands we represent to be prepared for the answers to these questions and to change their perspective to "benefit-oriented". Sustainability projects, because this is the trend. Not because everyone is doing it, not because it attracts attention, but in order to carry the stakeholder relationship to the future in a healthy way. Painting this planet green will not save the oceans, reducing biodiversity risks, and eliminate poverty and human rights threats.

Blah Blah Blah!

Recall Greta Thunberg's reaction at a recent summit - a global PR project for some, a symbol for others for her sincere journey - Greta accused leaders of making empty promises and drew applause with a historic "bla bla bla" imitation. If Greta is a project, let's stand up and applaud. If not, and if the journey that made her an icon was spontaneous, let's applaud even more. Either way, the main point we should pay attention to is that the new generation does not give a pass to open concepts. The expectations of the new generation will set the bar in sustainability communication. They are asking, seeking meaning and value, and they are not as obedient as previous generations.

On the way to becoming a brand activist...

The "Brand Activism" approach of Prof. Philip Kotler, one of the most important names in the field of marketing communication, actually matches the purpose of marketing and sustainability very successfully. In marketing communication, we offer people the products and services they need or desire and try to make them happier and more satisfied. Kotler says that this happiness and satisfaction must have meaning and value in it, and argues that brands need to be activists. So it's not just about producing and selling great products and services, it's also about what we bring to the world. And activating the brands we work with requires us to be activists.

We have the power to change the agenda

The task of public relations at this historic juncture is to change and improve the perspective of the company or brand it represents and to provide guidance on not ignoring the facts while structuring the future. If we are working with a brand or company that has already addressed the issue of sustainability in all its aspects, we can produce very enjoyable and beneficial projects. Conversely, we need to encourage our clients and partners to "sincerely" include sustainability in their strategic goals. Which of the 17 UN Global Compact Sustainable Development Goals should we take responsibility for? How should we align the course of our R&D activities with sustainability? How should we build a long-lasting friendship with our new generation of customers? There are many things to say, but I think these are the main questions to ask. In the other case, that is, if we are only focused on profit, the sustainability of that profit will also be at risk.

European Climate Pact: Together in Action

 You are cordially invited to the European Commission’s Climate Pact event on 1 February 2023. The event will take place in the Commission Charlemagne building, at the heart of the European district in Brussels. It will start at 14h and will be followed by a cocktail reception.

Two years after the Pact was launched, we are meeting to celebrate its achievements and discuss what lies ahead. We will encourage actions for the climate, share uplifting success stories, and connect like-minded people from across Europe who are all engaging in climate action. The event will be broadcast online and everyone, in the conference room or via the Internet, will be able to interact with speakers in real-time.

Panel discussions with inspirational speakers and a mini-expo of projects will be part of the program. You will also have an opportunity to engage with Frans Timmermans, the Commission’s Executive Vice President responsible for the European Green Deal.

This is the first message to save the date – you will receive an invitation with a detailed agenda, and logistical and connection details in the next weeks. Should you have any questions, please contact us..

The European Climate Pact  

My World. My Action. Our Planet.

Our Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to eradicate poverty, protect our planet, and ensure that all people live in peace and prosperity.

The 17 Goals build on the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals while incorporating new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace, and justice, among other priorities. The goals are interconnected; the key to success on one goal is to tackle interconnected problems together.

The SDGs operate in a spirit of partnership and pragmatism, making the right choices today to sustainably improve life for future generations. They provide clear guidance and goals for all countries to adopt following their priorities and the environmental challenges facing the world. The Sustainable Development Goals are an inclusive agenda. It gets to the root causes of poverty and unites us to make positive changes for people and the planet. 

OUR FOCUS AREAS UNDER THE RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH:

- Environmental and Ecological rights - Youth rights - Anti-discrimination and equality

- Women's rights / Gender equality - Right to work, fair income, and the right to form trade unions

- Children's rights - Right to the city

- Right to education and training - Sustainable rural and human development

- Digital rights - Disability rights

- Cultural rights - Right to Development

- Animal rights - Business and Human Rights

The 3 E's of Sustainability

• Ecological
• Ethics
• Economic

* the  Climate School  conducts studies on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

COP27 Decisions

With over 100 leaders and over 35,000 participants, the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCC, or COP27, took place in Egypt from November 6-20, 2022.

• The United Nations Secretary-General said, "If climate change is going to flood an island nation or leave the African continent in the grip of drought, COP27 was not the answer. We have much homework and little time," he said.

• "I think it's fair to say that we had another conference with a lot of protracted discussions, but no decisions with sanctions."

• Some applauded the decision to create a loss and damage fund. Many others said that COP27 was unsatisfactory.

• While there was a lot of talk at the conference about what to do against the effects of the climate, there was not much talk about what needs to be done to eliminate the causes of the climate crisis.

• It was emphasized that not much progress has been made since last year's COP26. It was emphasized that with the current policies, a 2.8°C temperature increase by the end of the century is inevitable, and this will have catastrophic consequences. Leaders were warned to make more effort.

• The Russia-Ukraine war was much discussed. It was stated that the war should be a reason to accelerate the climate crisis, not slow it down. But no one asked why new investments in fossil fuel production have been made in Europe, North America, Africa, and Australia since the war began.

What will be discussed at the Climate School?

Climate School;

Circular Economy, 

Zero Waste, 

Green Buildings, 

European Green Deal, 

Greenwashing,

Energy Efficiency, 

Geothermal Power Plant (GPP), 

Wind Power Plant (WPP), 

Solar Power Plant (SPP),

Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP),

Biogas Plant,

Blue Economy, Blue Growth, and Blue Entrepreneurship (Seas and Oceans)

Water and Wastewater,

COP21 Paris Climate Agreement,

Sustainability,

Sustainable Development Goals,

SECAP Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan,

Net Carbon Zero,

Carbon Market,

Environmental Rights,

Climate Finance,

Carbon credits,

Carbon Trading,

Carbon Market,

Climate Change Advocacy, (Climate Change Warrior),

Climate Migration,

Climate Crisis and Climate Justice

Climate Adaptation,

Climate Policies,

Climate Change Expertise,

Climate Law,

Climate Change Awareness and Consciousness,

Drought and Desertification,

Green Growth, Green Economy, and Green Entrepreneurship

Land Destruction,

Erosion

Bluefluencer and Greenfluencer,

It is a platform where articles, trainings, webinars, podcasts, reports, and projects will be discussed.

 Also in the field of training and projects;

• SECAP Preparation Technical Support to Local Governments,  
• Sustainability Training for Businesses, 
• Preparation of Energy Efficiency Feasibility for Institutions, 
• Corporate Carbon Footprint and Carbon Emissions Calculation,
• Climate Summit Preparation Trainings for Educational Institutions, 
• European Union, HorizonEurope, Erasmus+, and EU Project Partnership on Climate, Environment, and Energy, 
• Certified Climate Change Expert (Certified), 
• Event Support within the scope of "World Environment Day (WED)",

It is taught at the Climate School.

Climate Migration and Refugees

What are Climate Migration and Climate Refugees?

One of the biggest consequences of the climate crisis affecting our lives is extreme weather events. People living in regions where extreme weather events occur experience loss of life and property and therefore migrate to regions with better climatic conditions. These people who have to leave their homes due to the effects of climate change on the environment are called climate/environmental refugees or migrants, and their migration is called climate migration. These migrations, which have become a problem even today, are expected to increase day by day. This threatens the social order and security of individuals and puts their lives in danger.

CONTENTS

• Climate Refugees According to Data
• Legal Status of Climate Refugees
• What needs to be done 
• Climate Refugees According to Data

Experts call on decision-makers to take urgent action to prevent climate migration in the future. Suzan Ilık Bilben, a researcher at the Migration Research Foundation, states that extreme weather events were the cause of more than 89 percent of disaster-related migration between 2010 and 2019. The same data shows that 1 in 3 people are at risk of becoming climate migrants in 2070.

According to the World Bank's Groundswell report, the effects of climate change will force 216 million people to migrate within the country due to climate conditions by 2050. Worldwide, it is estimated that more than one billion people will have to leave their homes for climate-related reasons.

Legal Status of Climate Refugees

When migrants are classified according to their reasons for migration, although we call those who migrate due to environmental and climatic conditions "climate refugees", the legal meaning of this word is controversial. Climate refugees have not been included in the 1951 Geneva Conventions, the United Nations convention on refugees. At the same time, environmental disasters, such as extreme weather events, often lead to internal displacement in the first place. Therefore, there are legal criticisms (by various experts and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) that it does not fit the definition of "refugee" for migrants not to leave the country in the immediate aftermath of environmental degradation or disasters. Since the status of climate refugees is not clarified under international law, states are not obliged to protect climate refugees. Therefore, climate refugees are not included in the legal regulations of most states, and climate refugees are not provided protection.

What needs to be done

What Should States and Societies Do?

•  Achieve international consensus on the definition and status of climate refugees and promote legislation to protect climate migrants, even if they do not qualify as refugees.
•  Develop adaptation policies against climate change.
•  Fund research on the impacts of climate change on people, society, and health.
•  Build communities resilient to the climate crisis and other risk factors.

What Can Individuals Do?

•  Join and support communities helping refugees.
•  Call on decision-makers to develop policies for climate refugees