1. How do you assess the long-term effects of climate change on Türkiye and the world? 

The long-term effects of climate change must be considered seriously and comprehensively for both Türkiye and the world. In general, these effects will manifest in environmental, economic, social, and political dimensions.  

If we focus on the long-term effects on Türkiye:  
Since Türkiye has a semi-arid climate, there will be significant pressure on water resources. Drought will increase, particularly in the Central Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia regions, leading to water scarcity.  
Rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation will reduce agricultural production. This will particularly impact strategic agricultural products such as wheat, cotton, grapes, olives, and sunflowers, leading to yield losses and challenges in agriculture and food security.  
Ecosystems will deteriorate due to drought and water shortages, and many species will face the threat of extinction. The frequency of forest fires, such as those experienced in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, will increase. Our forests will no longer be able to regenerate themselves due to changing climatic conditions.  
The effects of global warming will cause glaciers to melt, leading to rising sea levels. In coastal cities like İstanbul, İzmir, and Antalya, this will result in coastal erosion, floods, and economic losses.  
Heatwaves will create favorable conditions for respiratory diseases and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and the Zika virus.  

As for the long-term global effects:  
Due to temperature variations, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods caused by heavy rainfall, and droughts triggered by heatwaves will increase.  
The melting of glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica will raise sea levels, threatening coastal cities worldwide.  
The reduction of agricultural and water resources will lead to economic crises and mass migrations on a global scale. This will increase political instability, and difficulties in accessing water and food will eventually lead to wars over water and fertile agricultural lands.  
Due to carbon dioxide emissions, oceans will become more acidic, endangering marine biodiversity. Fish breeding grounds will be at high risk, negatively impacting the fishing industry.  
Even though the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is accelerating, global competition for energy resources will intensify.  

In conclusion, climate change will deeply affect both Türkiye and the world. While Türkiye has taken some steps to combat climate change, these measures are still insufficient. Becoming an official party to the Paris Agreement in 2021 was a significant development, but urgent implementation of measures such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, protecting water resources, and promoting sustainable agriculture is necessary. Türkiye has set its net zero carbon target for 2053; however, clear and binding policies to achieve this goal have not yet been fully established. If resilient policies against climate change are not developed in the long term, both ecosystems and people will suffer serious damage. 

2. What are the primary goals of your political party in addressing climate change?  

The Republican People's Party (CHP), which I joined four months ago on October 8, 2024, is a well-established party with a strong institutional structure and 102 years of tradition.  

CHP is a party that organizes scientific workshops, publishes manifestos, and produces reports on environmental and nature policies. Our party program and election manifestos emphasize environmental sensitivity. We adhere to international agreements on global climate issues and prioritize universal values. However, these published manifestos, workshop reports, and policy documents outline our ultimate goals, which cannot be implemented without being in power. To enforce these commitments, we first need to govern.  

Despite limited budgets, the efforts of our local administrations demonstrate our environmental commitment. For example, in September last year, a workshop titled "Water Management in Climate Change Adaptation" was organized in Antalya. On February 6, a presentation titled "Disaster Preparedness in Istanbul and Local Government Perspective" will be held in Istanbul. As a party, we are highly productive in this regard.  

I would like to share some of our party's institutional publications related to this issue:  
- In November 2019, we published the Manifesto on Nature Rights.  
- In January 2021, we released the 2020 Nature Rights Violations Report.  
- In March 2021, we published the Policy Document on Disasters and Extreme Natural Events.  
- In May 2021, we released a report on The Environmental Impacts of Geothermal Power Plants.  
- In February 2022, we published the 2021 Nature Rights Violations Report.  
- In November 2022, we released the Energy Policies of CHP in the Second Century report.  
- In March 2024, we published the İliç Report.  

Our work in this field continues. CHP, which is poised to take power in the upcoming elections, will have the opportunity to implement its findings and proposals in climate policy.

Who is Nimet Özdemir?

Kayseri / Develi – 1970, Ramazan, Raziye.

Businessperson; completed primary, secondary, and high school education in Ankara. Earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Conley University.  

In 2008, he became a founding partner in a company operating in the construction sector. In 2015, he established two companies in the tower crane rental sector. The companies he founded became leading firms nationwide in their respective fields.  

He has been engaged in political activities within the İYİ Party since its establishment in 2017. He served as the Chairman of the Martyrs and Veterans Commission at the Istanbul Provincial Presidency. In 2019, he took on a role at the İYİ Party Headquarters as the Deputy Chairman responsible for Animal Rights, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Associations under the İYİ Party's Nature and Environmental Policies Department.  

He also served as a member of the EU Harmonization Commission, the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee, and the Environment Commission.  

Fluent in English, Özdemir is a mother of one.


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