Education at the Core of Environmental Awareness
Images of a donkey being made to smoke a cigarette in Karpaz sparked widespread outrage on social media. While at first glance this might seem like an isolated act of animal cruelty, the incident actually highlights a deeper issue related to environmental consciousness and ecological ethics. Asst. Prof. Dr. Nihal Bayır from the Faculty of Engineering at Cyprus International University stated that such actions can have a ripple effect, extending from the ecosystem to the structure of society.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Bayır emphasized, “It is not possible to evaluate the recent incident of forcing a donkey to smoke a cigarette merely as an act of individual violence against an animal.” She explained that this behavior is a result of an anthropocentric mindset—one that views nature solely as a resource for human use. “The failure to value animals as individuals leads to the denial of their right to live and their well-being,” she said.
She stressed that violence toward animals directly harms the balance of the ecosystem. She also added “In areas where wildlife and human life are intertwined, mistreatment of animals can pose a threat to other species and disrupt the trust and harmony within the ecosystem,”.
Bayır noted that this issue goes beyond a matter of individual ethics. “These individual actions do not occur in a vacuum; they arise within a specific cultural and environmental context,” she explained, pointing to the increasing prevalence of attitudes that seek to dominate nature and living beings. She underlined the strong connection between animal welfare and environmental protection, stating, “Both aim to approach nature with a more inclusive and ethical perspective that is not human-centered.”
Regarding environmental education, she said, “Environmental education is not just about imparting knowledge—it fosters sensitivity, shapes values, and, most importantly, aims to change behavior.” She stressed the need for awareness-raising efforts particularly in rural areas, recommending an approach that is “based on local realities, participatory, grounded in practical applications, and founded on respect and empathy.”
Bayır also warned that mistreatment of animals threatens environmental sustainability. “Such actions can frighten wildlife, causing animals to migrate or disrupting their reproductive cycles,” she said. She highlighted the direct link between society’s general attitude toward the environment and its treatment of animals, adding, “Indifference to the environment and indifference to animals stem from the same individual and societal deficiencies in values.”
Finally, Bayır pointed out the responsibilities of both the government and individuals: “It is the government’s duty to establish and effectively enforce legal regulations to protect the environment and animals.” At the same time, individuals are responsible for “living in ways that do not harm the environment and adopting respectful attitudes toward animals and nature.”
She concluded by stating that our approach to the environment and animals should be shaped not just by laws, but by a sense of social responsibility. “In a socially responsible approach, animals should not be seen as ornaments, tools, or working objects, but as living individuals capable of suffering, feeling, and deserving the right to live.”