A meaningful event was organized as part of World Environment Week in collaboration between Kırşehir Ahi Evran University and the Kırşehir Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. The event took place in the Conference Hall of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture and was attended by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, Kırşehir Provincial Director of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Muhammed Yusuf Orhan, Director of the Center for Environmental Issues Research and Application Prof. Dr. İlkay Açıkgöz Erkaya, as well as academic and administrative staff and students. Held with high attendance and under the theme “The World in Our Hands,” the event addressed topics such as environmental awareness, climate change, and sustainable living.

The event began with opening remarks, during which Kırşehir Provincial Director of Environment, Urban Planning, and Climate Change Muhammed Yusuf Orhan emphasized that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility not only of institutions but of all segments of society. Highlighting the importance of leaving a more livable world for future generations, Orhan stated that environmental awareness must be strengthened day by day.

Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş then delivered a speech, stating that the environment is a shared trust that must be protected for the sake of future generations. Noting that the sustainable use of natural resources is the responsibility not only of institutions but of every individual, Güneş emphasized that the widespread adoption of environmentally conscious lifestyle habits is of great importance for a more livable future.

Later in the program, a staff member of the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Ahmet Güvenir delivered a comprehensive presentation on the COP31 process. The presentation covered global climate policies, international environmental goals, and Turkey’s role in this process, and was followed with great interest by the participants.

In the final part of the program, Director of the Center for Applied Research on Environmental Issues at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Prof. Dr. İlkay Açıkgöz Erkaya took the floor and delivered a presentation titled “Climate Change and the Zero-Waste Approach.” In her presentation, Erkaya outlined measures that can be taken at both the individual and institutional levels to address the impacts of the climate crisis, highlighting the critical role that zero-waste practices play in environmental sustainability.
With high attendance, the program aimed to raise environmental awareness, promote sustainable living habits, and foster public awareness regarding the fight against climate change. Ending with the message “The World in Our Hands,” the event, which showcased the exemplary collaboration between public institutions and the university in Kırşehir, saw participants emphasize the importance of a shared sense of responsibility for a cleaner, greener, and more livable future.