Frightening warning from Minister Kurum after the tornado in Antalya! "We are moving toward the edge of the cliff"

29.10.2026 18:11

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum, recalling the tornado in Antalya that killed 4 workers, said that Turkey is exposed to the devastating effects of the climate crisis due to its location in the Mediterranean basin. Stating that COP31 to be held in Antalya will be an “implementation COP,” Kurum said, “It is now time for commitments to turn into action.” Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran, on the other hand, argued that “disaster scenarios” in climate communication fuel pessimism.

Minister Kurum spoke at the program “From Zero Waste to COP31: Türkiye’s Climate Diplomacy” held at the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications. Kurum emphasized that the main message Türkiye will give to the world at COP31 will be implementation.

“HUMANITY AND NATURE ARE ADVANCING TOWARD THE EDGE OF THE ABYSS”

Noting that the world is going through a period in which political instability is deepening, conflicts are increasing and economic crises are being experienced, Kurum said that the threat posed by the climate crisis goes beyond these crises. Kurum said, “These political and economic storms filling today’s headlines will come and go. There is something else that will not pass, something we cannot bring back. Humanity and nature are, unfortunately, rapidly advancing toward the edge of an abyss. The real danger is the climate crisis turning this planet into a place where one cannot breathe, where life cannot be lived.”

CONDOLENCES FOR THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE TORNADO IN ANTALYA

In Antalya’s Kepez district, a tornado tore apart 2 containers where workers were staying at a construction site, killing 4 workers. Referring to this incident, Kurum said, “A severe tornado in Antalya almost swept through many of our districts. Unfortunately, we lost four of our citizens. I pray to God for mercy for our citizens who lost their lives and patience for their relatives and all of Antalya. Due to our position in the Mediterranean basin, we are a country exposed to the destructive effects of the climate crisis. We must learn to live with this awareness and take precautions.”

Also recalling the floods experienced in Istanbul’s Sarıyer, Ayazağa and Şile areas and in Kocaeli and Sakarya in recent weeks, Kurum said, “This is exactly what we mean when we talk about combating climate change, adaptation and resilience. That is why we see urban transformation as a matter of national security.”

“WE HAVE SET OUR ROADMAP AS DIALOGUE, CONSENSUS AND ACTION”

Stating that combating climate change requires strong diplomacy, Kurum said that countries’ capabilities, needs and responsibilities in the climate crisis are different. Noting that during the COP31 Presidency they aim to ensure that the voices of countries in different circumstances are heard, Kurum said, “We want to make the voice of a country struggling with drought and of a state concerned about its future due to rising sea levels heard in Antalya. We prepared for COP31 with exactly this understanding and set our roadmap as dialogue, consensus and action.”

“NOW IS THE TIME FOR IMPLEMENTATION”

Noting that they have been working for a year as part of COP31 preparations, Kurum summarized the message Türkiye will give in Antalya as follows:

“If you ask what Türkiye will say to the world at COP31, first of all we will say that it is now time for commitments to turn into action. We will say that now is the time for implementation. The noise of daily crises never drowns out the voice of the real truth. We will say let us not leave the tomorrow of our world in darkness. If the destructive consequences of the climate crisis are felt in our daily lives, then the results of climate targets must also be visible.”

10 PRIORITIES WILL BE PUT ON THE TABLE IN ANTALYA

Saying that Türkiye has set its climate targets, Kurum stated that investments and international cooperation now need to be accelerated. Noting that they will discuss the phrase “COP31 will be an implementation COP” in Antalya through 10 priorities, Kurum said that Zero Waste is at the top of these priorities. Kurum stated that they aim to reduce the expected increase in global municipal waste generation by at least half by 2035.

Kurum said that they aim to increase the rate of circular material use in the production and manufacturing sector to 15 percent by 2035. Stating that the protection of seas and oceans, food security, climate-resilient agriculture and climate-resilient cities will also be on the agenda, Kurum reported that Türkiye has set a target to reduce the energy use intensity of buildings by 25 percent by 2035.

35 PERCENT TARGET IN ELECTRIFICATION

Also touching on the clean energy transition, Kurum said, “We will develop cooperation to ensure that the share of electrification in final electricity consumption reaches 35 percent by 2035. In green industrialization, we will also have grown more efficient production by using fewer resources.”

RECYCLING RATE IN ZERO WASTE REACHED 37 PERCENT

Kurum said that with the Zero Waste Movement that began in 2017, the recycling rate, which was 13 percent, rose to 37 percent in 2025. Kurum said, “During this period, we recycled 90 million tons of waste and contributed 365 billion liras to our economy in this context.” Noting that Zero Waste has become part of Türkiye’s climate diplomacy, Kurum used the expression, “Nature and humanity are not rivals, but companions on the road.”

DURAN: DISASTER SCENARIOS FUEL PESSIMISM

Speaking at the program, Presidency Communications Director Burhanettin Duran drew attention to the importance of how climate policies are explained to society. Stating that disinformation on climate must be fought, Duran argued that climate change has for many years been addressed by scientists and environmental organizations with an expertise-centered and one-way communication approach.

Duran said, “A discourse focusing on disasters caused by climate change and threats awaiting our world raises the anxiety level of societies. Disaster scenarios fuel pessimism. The constant repetition of similar issues with a similar jargon, and the discussion of negatives more than solutions, creates ‘green fatigue’ for us.” Emphasizing that a language that builds the future with hope should be used in all channels, Duran noted that they envisage a multi-faceted and long-term strategy in climate communication.

3,000 MEDIA MEMBERS APPLIED

Stating that Türkiye’s COP31 vision is based on restoring trust through dialogue and turning commitments into concrete results on the ground, Duran said, “Our goal is to accelerate the implementation of international commitments, expand cooperation between countries and support climate action in producing concrete results.”