Call for Unity for Land from TEMA Foundation: "Healthy Soil for Healthy Life!"

This year, on June 17, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, TEMA Foundation said "Let's unite for the land" by focusing on the future of the land, which is the source of life for our planet. Ms. Deniz Ataç, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of TEMA Foundation said, "Taking urgent measures against the risk of desertification of our fertile agricultural lands is an indispensable responsibility to protect both today and our future. Our land is our heritage, our future. We should not forget that healthy soil means healthy life." She emphasized the importance of protecting the land.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which draws attention to the severity of the climate crisis on June 17 every year, this year focused on the theme "Our Heritage, Our Future #UnitedForLand", similar to Environment Day. In this context, TEMA Foundation pointed out that it is an indispensable responsibility to act together in combating the effects of the climate crisis and reminded once again that we all have a duty to mitigate these effects.

Stating that measures against climate change are now a necessity today, Deniz Ataç said, "Just in 1994, TEMA Foundation's slogan of "Let Türkiye Not Become a Desert!" had a great impact on society, and it was the first time that it had been voiced so loudly that Türkiye was in danger of desertification unless measures were taken. Unfortunately, today we are faced with the same situation in a much more serious way. Soil degradation is increasing due to problems such as destruction of forests and meadow-pasture lands caused by human activities, erosion, pollution, salinization and acidification. While natural assets, which are our source of life, are being depleted, the productivity of existing ones is decreasing. We need to limit global warming to 1.5°C, but the Earth has already warmed more than 1.2°C. The increase in droughts, floodings and floods, the decrease in soil fertility and water resources, and the loss of biodiversity deeply affect human life."

40% of the land on Earth has been destroyed

Emphasizing the negative effects of climate crisis, erosion, desertification and drought in Türkiye and stating that life on soil is in serious danger, Deniz Ataç said, "Due to desertification, land degradation and drought, 40% of all land areas around the world have been destroyed and this situation affects the world's population. While healthy soil provides 95% of our food, it is also an important source of business and livelihood. However, 100 million hectares of land are destroyed every year due to wild mining, urbanization and pollution. 80% of the destruction is attributed to the actions to obtain new agricultural lands, which causes the destruction of biodiversity. In addition, the soil is degraded in existing agricultural lands due to unsustainable practices, water pollution and chemical fertilizers. The use of pesticides reduces the fertility of agricultural lands and harms human and soil health."

Drought and desertification threaten the lives of 3.2 million people

Underlining that desertification and drought are among the driving forces of forced migration and threaten the lives of 3.2 million people every year, Ataç said, "There is a greater need for agriculture to meet the food needs of the increasing population. While more than 750 million people suffer from hunger today, 10 million people will suffer from hunger by 2050. It is clear that the need for land will increase in order to meet the food needs of the billion population. The lands inherited from our ancestors are not only ours but also the rights of future generations. To protect this right, we need to ensure sustainable land management, protect forests and pasture areas. It is of great importance to make restoration to restore degraded lands. We emphasize once again that every investment made in nature is the most valuable investment made in the future."

Approximately 410 thousand hectares of forest area has been lost in Türkiye

Pointing out that forests, meadow-pasture areas and agricultural lands in Türkiye are under great pressure and that some provisions in the law facilitate land destruction, Deniz Ataç said, "Between 2012 and 2023, approximately 410 thousand hectares of forest area was lost due to mining and energy activities. While growing cities swallow fertile agricultural lands, there is still a wish to establish organized industrial zones in agricultural lands with very high agricultural productivity and in large plains. Türkiye is among the countries most affected by climate change; therefore, changes in land use and sustainable management are of vital importance.”

Stating that while the need for soil and water is increasing, legal regulations should be made to prevent land destruction, Ataç listed the steps to be taken as follows, "Our forests, water resources, meadow-pasture lands and fertile agricultural lands should be protected and not sacrificed to mining activities. In addition, society is concerned about desertification, erosion and soil conservation. We must raise awareness and contribute to educational activities on this issue. We must support the protection of our natural assets by improving our saving habits in our daily lives. We must encourage restoration efforts to restore desertified or eroded lands. Let us not forget that we should demand that policy makers and decision makers make regulations to protect our natural assets. Healthy soil means healthy life.”

"As TEMA Foundation, we call upon everyone to come together and act together to protect the land and nature on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. Let's unite for the land, let's protect our future!" she said.

We are raising hope!                                                                    TEMA Foundation