A Vision Shaping the Future by IGU: Assoc. Prof. Başak Özarslan Discussed Sustainability at Technovation Girls Launch Event

Istanbul Gelisim University, Research Center for Sustainable Environment and Society Director Assoc. Prof. Başak Özarslan was a speaker at the Technovation Girls Launch Event hosted by SabancıDx. In her address, Assoc. Prof. Özarslan drew attention to the strong and strategic relationship between sustainability, energy transformation, and the economy of the future.

The Anthropocene Era and Planetary Boundaries

Beginning her presentation at the Technovation Girls Launch Event with the concept of the Anthropocene Era, Assoc. Prof. Özarslan emphasized that the impact of human activities on the planet has now reached a defining scale, assessing the current global picture through scientific indicators such as increased carbon emissions since the Industrial Revolution, biodiversity loss, and natural resource consumption.
Within the framework of the planetary boundaries approach, Assoc. Prof. Özarslan noted that critical thresholds such as climate change, biosphere integrity, water resources, and land use have been exceeded, stating that sustainability is not merely an environmental sensitivity but also a matter of risk management and a systemic imperative.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals and Strategic Transformation

In her speech, Assoc. Prof. Başak Özarslan addressed the historical development of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations, emphasizing that these targets provide a common strategic framework for countries, institutions, and the business world.
Assoc. Prof. Özarslan also assessed the economic and geopolitical consequences of energy dependence through the example of the 1973 Oil Crisis, noting that today a new dependency map is emerging in which fossil fuels have been replaced by critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.

A 2050 Perspective in Light of Technology Data

In the final section of her presentation, Assoc. Prof. Başak Özarslan addressed the role of technology in the sustainability process under the headings of measurement, optimization, and innovation. Assoc. Prof. Özarslan drew attention to the fact that technological choices are not only technical but also political and strategic decisions.
Through a 2050 perspective, Assoc. Prof. Özarslan called on participants to act with systems thinking, develop data literacy, and cultivate a multidisciplinary outlook, stating that sustainable transformation is only possible through a holistic approach. The comprehensive assessments shared at the event once again demonstrated that academic expertise in the field of sustainability contributes to societal and sectoral transformation, while also powerfully reflecting Istanbul Gelisim University's sustainability vision and scientific leadership.