Antalya hosts international talks and events to combat climate change at COP31, the global climate summit hosted by Türkiye for the first time.
Within the scope of the conference, the Green Crescent, located in the Green Zone, gives the message that addictions affect not only individual and public health, but also natural life and the environment, with two different artistic works.
Works of clients struggling with addiction will be at COP31
The "Patch Patch" exhibition, which Green Crescent brought together with visitors as part of the conference, consists of works created in art workshops attended by clients receiving addiction treatment at Green Crescent Counseling Centers (YEDAM).
In the workshops conducted by artist İlhami Atalay with his students, 30 clients reused waste fabrics and prepared various works of art.
In the exhibition, in addition to the works produced with a zero waste approach, the stories of the clients who created these works, overcoming addiction and holding on to life again, are also conveyed to the visitors.
Green Crescent's other work at COP31, the "Bottom of the Bottle" video installation, makes visible the pollution, water footprint and environmental destruction caused by addiction industries in natural areas and human settlements.
In addition to two artistic works, the Green Crescent also brings the environmental consequences of addictions to the agenda on international platforms through panels organized with different organizations.
Cigarette butts are one of the most common types of waste
Green Crescent Deputy Chairman Sümeyye Ceylan told the AA correspondent that the institution has been fighting addictions in Türkiye and internationally for 106 years and that they continue their work in the fields of prevention, rehabilitation and advocacy.
Pointing out that addictive industries are among the sectors that cause the most pollution in the world, Ceylan stated that tobacco, alcohol and substance addiction also have important consequences for environmental health.
Emphasizing that cigarette butts are one of the most common types of waste around the world, Ceylan said, "Fighting against addiction also means protecting the environment." he said.
Ceylan stated that art is an important tool in supporting the spiritual and social well-being of individuals and that art works contribute to the healing process.
Explaining that individuals experiencing economic difficulties, natural disasters, health problems and psychological difficulties can benefit from different supportive methods in their recovery processes, Ceylan noted that art is one of these methods.
Emphasizing that the "Patch Patch" exhibition brings together environmental awareness, zero waste approach, art and mental health, Ceylan said, "In this work where we bring together waste fabrics, art and mental health, we see the positive effect of the healing process on the clients. We recommend all institutions and organizations to consider art as a partner and companion in their work." he said.
Stating that they drew attention to the effects of the production and consumption processes of addiction industries on the environment through the "Bottom of the Bottle" video installation, Ceylan invited visitors to experience the work on site.
"COP31 is an opportunity to bring environmental problems to the international agenda"
Stating that Türkiye's hosting of COP31 provides an important opportunity to discuss environmental problems at the international level, Ceylan said that the conference is valuable for Türkiye, the region and the world.
Pointing out the importance of bringing environmental problems to the agenda of millions of visitors and the world public opinion in an internationally recognized city like Antalya, Ceylan stated that the Green Crescent has carried its work on the environmental effects of addictions to the international platform in this context.
Ceylan stated that they brought the issue to the COP31 agenda through the "Addiction and Environment Research Report" they published in November and said:
"With this conference, we brought the damage caused by addictions to the environment to the agenda through the 'Addiction and Environment Research Report' we published in November. It is very valuable that such a valuable and important issue for humanity is being discussed globally through our country. Is it enough? It is never enough. But it is very important to start that dialogue, to know that this issue is an important issue and to have it happen in Türkiye."
