Change in Environmental Awareness
Proclaimed by the International Change Federation (ULUDEF) in 2018 and celebrated annually on July 7, World Change Day will take place on Sunday this year, with celebrations in nearly 30 cities abroad and across Turkey.
The theme for the 2019 celebrations is “Change in Environmental Awareness.” Efforts are ongoing to include this special day in UNESCO’s list of International Days.
Güncel Dilmen, an expert from the World Change Academy, stated that the World Change Day celebrations in Adana are being organized in collaboration with the International Change Federation and the Adana Metropolitan Municipality. The event, scheduled for 7:00 PM on July 7 at M1 Adana Shopping Mall, will feature dance performances, live music, and a Transformation Breath workshop. Dilmen added that the TEMA Foundation Adana Provincial Representative Office will also participate in the event, where the Forestry Directorate will distribute free saplings to attendees.
ULUDEF officials explained the purpose of proclaiming July 7 (7.7) as World Change Day as follows:
“To raise awareness for the conscious transformation of individuals, society, and the world. For this purpose, we organize public awareness events on July 7 and aim to expand these celebrations both nationally and globally. Last year, our theme was ‘Change Begins with Breath,’ and we held public breathing exercises throughout Turkey and abroad. This year, the theme is ‘Change in Environmental Awareness.’ The events will include music, dance, talks on the importance of transformation and environmental consciousness, and the distribution of saplings in many locations.
Celebrations will take place in nearly 30 cities worldwide, including Paris, Prague, London, Las Vegas, New Jersey, California, Chicago, Tokyo, Mexico, Córdoba (Argentina), Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Bulgaria, Spain, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.
Domestically, events will be held in collaboration with municipalities in cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Antalya, Eskişehir, Denizli, Bursa, Tekirdağ, Çorlu, Samsun, Marmaris, and Bodrum.
ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS.
2019 Theme: Change in Environmental Awareness
ULUDEF stated:
“As human beings, we are responsible for the lives of all living creatures. People adapt to the environment they live in. Those who live in a natural and healthy environment lead natural and healthy lives.
The four fundamental elements of life—earth, water, fire (sun), and air—are the guarantors of life’s continuity. However, these life-giving elements are turning into life-threatening ones due to negative changes. The soil is either polluted or being washed away into the sea, leading to its disappearance. Pollution in our seas has reached such levels that marine life is now at risk of extinction. Groundwater, a source of drinking water, is under the threat of global warming. Due to the depletion of the ozone layer, sunlight is no longer solely a source of life but is becoming a cause of harm. The air we breathe is poisoning us with every breath due to the release of toxic gases.
The natural habitat of humans is not cities surrounded by concrete and technology but the embrace of nature. We either return to our natural environment or face extinction. It is time to change environmental awareness. Returning to natural living is the last resort for the survival of all species.”
