To mark World Environment Day and Türkiye Environment Week, the Ortahisar Municipality Climate Change and Zero Waste Directorate brought the community together for a colorful and inspiring event called “The World Transforming with Colors.” Held at the beautiful Boztepe Volkan Konak Observation Deck and Walking Path, the event welcomed people of all ages to celebrate sustainability and raise awareness about the importance of zero waste.

The day was filled with creativity and learning, featuring two main activities: the Zero Waste Art Activity and the Zero Waste Festival with Children. These hands-on experiences encouraged participants to explore environmental themes through art, play, and education. Among the attendees were Ortahisar Deputy Mayor Mustafa Özer İskender, along with esteemed academicians from Karadeniz Technical University’s Faculty of Marine Sciences (KTÜ MSF)—including Prof. Dr. Coşkun Erüz, Prof. Dr. Fatma Telli Karakoç, Prof. Dr. Hacer SAĞLAM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rafet Çağrı Öztürk, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Koray Özşeker, Dr. Neira Purwanty ISMAIL, as well as representatives from the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, local officials, teachers, and students from across the region.

A highlight of the event was the stand of the BlackNETs “Exorcising the Black Sea’s Silent Killers” Project. Funded by the European Union, this initiative aims to tackle the growing issue of ghost nets—abandoned fishing gear that silently threatens marine life in the Black Sea. Prof. Dr. Coşkun Erüz shared the project’s mission and progress with attendees, stressing the urgent need to combat marine pollution and protect our fragile ocean ecosystems. The stand also featured visual displays, including movies, illustrations of ghost nets and marine litter pollution, as well as interactive educational materials like marine litter-themed play cards and toys. These tools helped make the issue more accessible and engaging, especially for younger participants, reinforcing the importance of awareness and action in preserving the Black Sea ecosystem.

Local media exposure
(Links to media coverage about the event can be accessed through links below)

Akçaabat News

Küzey Ekspres

Son Dakika

61 Saat

Günebakış

Haber 61

Trabzon Haber 24

Haber Anlık

Trabzon Ortahisar Belediyesi

 

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