Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır answered Fulya Öztürk's questions in the Mind Circle program on CNN Türk.
"CLIMATE CHANGE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AGENDA ITEMS OF HUMANITY"
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated that they are located in a region at the 78 degrees north parallel, under Norwegian sovereignty and used for peaceful purposes within the scope of international agreements. Stating that global climate change is one of the most important agenda items of humanity, Kacır said that polar researches are scientific studies of great importance in this respect. Kacır noted that Türkiye has enabled scientists to organize science expeditions to the poles under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan since 2017.
Minister Kacır stated that the 10th Antarctic Science Expedition was carried out this year and the North Pole Science Expedition was continued by scientists and said, "We were involved on the last day of the expedition. We came here to observe the work of our scientists on site. It is a truly exciting process." he said.
"AVERAGE TEMPERATURE INCREASES ARE THREE AND A HALF TIMES HIGHER HERE COMPARED TO WORLDWIDE"
Stating that the effects of global climate change are felt most strongly in the polar geography, Kacır said, "Because the average temperature increases are three and a half times higher here compared to the rest of the world. This causes the geography to change completely. A serious melting rate has occurred in both terrestrial glaciers and sea ice." he said.
"SCIENTISTS CARRIED OUT MEASUREMENTS AT MORE THAN 90 STATIONS FOR 22 DAYS"
Kacır stated that scientists carried out measurements at more than 90 stations for 22 days in order to observe the different reflections of global climate change, and said, "Now these measurements will be evaluated, turned into scientific articles and added to the world literature." he said.
Stating that Türkiye has organized 10 Antarctic and 6 Arctic science expeditions to date, Kacır stated that approximately 300 scientists participated in these expeditions and that the studies carried out have provided significant gains by being included in the global science literature.
Emphasizing that the melting of terrestrial glaciers means the rise of sea levels, Kacır said, "Today, we are talking about the threat of the countries that live as island states being submerged in their geography in the next decades. We are talking about the melting of sea ice, the change of the flows of all currents and the transformation of climates in different geographies of the world at a global level." he said.
"A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE WORLD'S NATURAL GAS AND OIL RESERVES ARE IN THIS REGION"
Kacır stated that the change in the poles affects not only the climate but also biodiversity and said, "There are algae and algae under the sea ice. Fish feed on them, polar bears feed on the fish. The melting of this ice transforms all this biodiversity. It transforms this habitat and ecosystem." he said.
Stating that the North Pole hosts approximately 30 percent of the world's hydrocarbon assets, Kacır said that a significant portion of the world's natural gas and oil reserves are located in this region.
"MELTING SEA ICE CAUSES THE EMERGENCE OF NEW TRADE ROUTES"
Kacır pointed out that economic activities related to hydrocarbon deposits may increase in the coming years as the sea ice melts, and that new trade routes may also emerge.
Kacır said, "Especially the melting of sea ice causes the trade routes to change here and the emergence of new trade routes. The trade routes between China and Europe, and between China and the American continent, may be replaced by routes from the north, approximately half the distance, instead of the routes mostly used from the south." he said.
Kacır stated that the changes taking place in the Arctic may also have an impact on global trade and said, "This may reveal new perspectives on the route of trade throughout the world. All of these make the Arctic very meaningful for humanity." he said.
"Türkiye IS A PARTY TO THE INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE POLES"
Stating that Türkiye is one of the countries party to the international agreement on the poles, Kacır said, "As of 2025, we have completed this process and joined 49 countries. Our citizens have the opportunity to carry out studies here. We, as Turkey, strengthen our presence at the scientific level with these scientific studies." he said.
Stating that universities lead science expeditions, Kacır said, Polar Research Institute President Prof. Dr. He said that Burcu Özsoy led the science projects and 12 scientists participated in the Arctic Science Expedition.
"IT OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TURKISH SCIENTISTS TO EXPAND THE HORIZONS MUCH BEYOND"
Kacır stated that scientists from Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul University, Gebze Technical University, Dokuz Eylül University and many other institutions carried out studies within the scope of the expedition, and said, "Therefore, this actually offers an opportunity to expand the horizons of Turkish scientists much further." he said.
Kacır stated that young people are now participating in polar science expeditions and said that after the university entrance exam results were announced, high school students who participated in previous expeditions and took part in this year's Arctic Science Expedition achieved significant success.
"This is the TEKNOFEST generation." Kacır said, "On the one hand, young people who carry out scientific studies at the most advanced level lead scientific efforts with TEKNOFEST competitions and TÜBİTAK competitions. At the same time, they prove themselves academically in the strongest way." he said.
"THE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES CONDUCTED BY Türkiye IN THE POLES ARE PROUD"
Kacır stated that the scientific studies carried out by Türkiye in the poles are a source of pride and said, "As a Turkish citizen, it makes me proud that our country carries out these studies and is one of the countries leading scientific efforts at the global level." he said.
Kacır thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for patronizing the polar science expeditions and said that the nation showed great interest in these studies.
"WE HAVE A TARGET TO ESTABLISH A TURKISH SCIENCE BASE IN ANTARCTICA"
Reminding that the first Antarctic Science Expedition was organized in 2017 and the Arctic Science Expeditions started in 2019, Kacır stated that there was a two-year break due to the pandemic.
Kacır said, "Hopefully, our goal is to carry these studies to the highest level in both the South Pole and the North Pole. We have a goal of establishing a Turkish Science Base in Antarctica. We have completed our preparations for this. We have also received our approval from the Council of Advisory Countries." he said.
Kacır stated that the way scientific studies are carried out in Antarctica and the Arctic differs and said, "Antarctica is a land, so the studies there are mostly carried out on land. The Arctic is an ocean. The studies here are carried out more intensively on ships and in stations established at sea." he said.
Stating that they appreciate the efforts put in by scientists, Kacır said, "We truly appreciate the efforts put in by our scientists in all these studies, and as the Ministry of Industry and Technology and TÜBİTAK, together with all levels of the state, we continue to put forward all our efforts to pave the way for these efforts of our scientists." he said.
