The key facts

  • COP31 is being held in Antalya, Türkiye; celebrities spoke at the Türkiye pavilion in the 'blue zone'
  • Participants called for moving from statements to action, noting that the climate crisis is already affecting everyday life
  • Athlete Şahika Ercümen spoke of daily encounters with large amounts of litter in the sea

Celebrities called for action at COP31 in Antalya

In Antalya, Türkiye, where the UN climate conference COP31 is taking place, artists and athletes gathered at the Türkiye pavilion in the 'blue zone' stated that fighting the climate crisis requires responsibility from everyone and concrete steps for the sake of future generations. Actor Barış Arduç called the summit important against the backdrop of the climate crisis having reached the level of a 'red alert,' and emphasized: after the Paris climate summit, the time for action, not words, has come. Actress Demet Şener noted that the climate crisis is no longer a problem of the future but something that affects everyday life and requires immediate measures.

Personal observations and appeals from participants

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, actress Tuba Büyüküstün drew attention to the urgency of the problem, stating that decisions must now be turned into action for the sake of children's future. National athlete Şahika Ercümen, who, by her own words, spends a lot of time at sea, encounters large amounts of litter every day; she added that water covers about 70% of the Earth's surface and that the gathering of many countries in Antalya is an important opportunity. Actress Ceyda Ateş emphasized the need to protect forests, seas and water resources, while Serkan Altunorak called climate change a common problem affecting everyone. Meryem Uzerli noted that COP31 has brought together the largest number of world leaders among climate summits, calling this a source of pride. Bülent İnal and Ava Yaman also expressed satisfaction that the summit is being held in Türkiye.