The United Nations, with the aim of achieving and strengthening universal peace, has defined 17 “Sustainable Development Goals” within the framework of Agenda 2030, which serves as an action plan for the Earth and life on it, as well as human well-being. These goals address the resolution of global issues that threaten human well-being and the health of our planet, such as hunger, poverty, and access to clean water. However, these goals can only provide solutions if they are inclusive, fair, and equitable. Achieving most of these goals generally requires earth sciences and, more specifically, geological engineering. It is understood that restoring the health of the Earth, which faces a cluster of problems with high potential for crisis, is a prerequisite for social welfare. It has also been understood that solving these problems requires an “interdisciplinary” approach.
It is predicted that the crisis caused by the irresponsible consumption of natural resources, as well as disasters such as meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and hydrogeological droughts and floods caused by climate change, can be mitigated based on the “Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem” connection. The direct effects of the climate crisis on “water security” seriously threaten vital energy and food security as well as ecosystem health. Considering the role of geosciences in overcoming these problems, which have a high potential to become a global crisis, the main theme of the 78th Turkish Geology Congress has been determined as “Water, Drought, Climate Change, and Geology.” In addition to the fundamental topics of geological engineering, the congress plans to evaluate the impact on life of the changes that have occurred since the formation of the Earth to the present day and the possible changes predicted for the future, focusing on topics related to the main theme of “water, drought, climate change, and geology.”
Given the current state of affairs in terms of issues threatening the Earth and human welfare, it is necessary to redefine the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem connection in every field, including the educational practices we believe to be the best, and to review the approaches and methods we apply. Under the pressure of these necessities, the 78th Turkey Geology Congress aims to bring together geoscientists who are conscious of the contribution of work in different fields and sub-fields of geosciences to human welfare and who carry out their work and solutions within the framework of respect for the “Earth,” the subject of their work, by adopting geoethical rules, and to create a platform for social interaction, including decision-makers. In line with this objective, care has been taken to include sessions on new areas of study required by the problems of today and the near future, in addition to the fundamental areas of earth sciences.
In addition to the 42 General Sessions where presentations will be held, the aim is to maximize interaction in all areas through thematic events such as 11 Main Theme Sessions, 3 Special Sessions, 2 Panels, Technical Tours, Pre-Congress Courses, and Forums.
As with every Congress, we believe that the 78th Turkish Geology Congress will not only be a scientific event but will also create a social interaction environment that our colleagues look forward to every year. As the Congress Organizing Committee, striving to provide these environments for our colleagues, we invite all our colleagues to participate in this “festivity” with their work
Organizing Committee
