As part of the "Hear the Plants' Voice, Adapt for Climate Change project," the "Sustainable Futures: Mersin Climate Change and Adaptation Conference" and the "Mersin Climate Change and Agriculture Workshop" were held on November 27-28, 2024, hosted by Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO).

Funded by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye, the project was coordinated by the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Boğaziçi University, and Alata Horticultural Research Institute Directorate. The "Sustainable Futures: Mersin Climate Change and Adaptation Conference" aimed to inform  about the process of adaptation to climate change in Mersin and to raise awareness about the measures that can be implemented. At the conference, Prof. Barış Salihoğlu, Director of the METU Climate Change and Sustainable Development Center and METU Institute of Marine Sciences, discussed the current state of our seas and the impact of rising temperatures on Mersin’s coastal areas. He also presented local and global solutions to address these impacts. Drawing attention to the effects of marine pollution and overfishing, Salihoğlu emphasized the need to reduce these pressures to enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems against climate change.

On the second day of the event, the "Mersin Climate Change and Agriculture Workshop" took place, with the participation of METU CLIMATE Center Communication Officer Yağmur Akgün. The workshop featured roundtable discussions with representatives from public institutions, universities, civil society organizations, farmers, and experts. The discussions focused on the effects of climate change on Mersin and adaptation strategies. The outcomes of these discussions were documented to contribute to stakeholders’ solution proposals.

For more information, you can visit the MTSO website.