TEMA Foundation: It is the duty of all to protect the land, let Türkiye not become a desert!

TEMA Foundation welcomes the Anti-Erosion Week, celebrated between 13 - 19 November this year, with the slogan "Let Türkiye Not Become a Desert". Stating that a significant part of our country is at risk of desertification, Ms. Deniz Ataç, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the TEMA Foundation, said, “One of the most important reasons for desertification is erosion. Heavy rains, which increase with the climate crisis, destroy our lands by increasing erosion. 642 million tons of soil is eroded every year in our country," and she reminded once again that it is our duty to protect the soil.

During the week various events will be held by TEMA Foundation such as online webinar, traditional Soil March, which has been held for many years, stands and training presentations.

We call upon all people once more: let Türkiye not become a desert!

Türkiye heard of the slogan "Let Türkiye Not Be a Desert!", which TEMA Foundation has been associated with for years, for the first time in 1994, and the slogan had a great impact in society at that time. It was stated so loudly for the first time that our country was in danger of desertification if no measures were taken. After 29 years, TEMA Foundation once again says "Türkiye should not be a desert" due to the increasing severity of ecological damage caused by human activities and the climate crisis, which is the biggest threat we face today, and draws attention to the adverse effects of climate crisis, erosion, desertification and drought in our country. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the 1.1°C increase in the world's average temperature caused by the climate crisis will be 50% more likely to occur in the Mediterranean Basin, where Türkiye is located. The Mediterranean Basin is one of the places that will be most affected by the climate crisis, compared to the rest of the world.

Our country can be a water-poor country before 2030

"If we do not stop the climate crisis, heat waves will increase their frequency and severity, and accordingly our water resources will gradually decrease," said Deniz Ataç, adding, "Our country, which is in a position to suffer from water scarcity with the amount of 1,347 m3 of water per capita today, is facing increasing population and decreasing water potential. It is predicted that it will become a water- poor country before 2030. Research shows that by 2070, many of our country's water resources, especially Beyşehir Lake, the largest lake in the Mediterranean Basin, will disappear. It is thought that there will be a 15-20% reduction in the good scenario and 40-45% in the bad scenario in our country's water potential until 2100.”

Türkiye is already under big threat of drought

Emphasising that droughts experienced as a result of increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation seriously affect agricultural production, Ms. Ataç said, “There is a severe drought in many regions of Türkiye. If global warming is not limited to 1.5°C, the productivity of agricultural products will decrease by 45% by 2050. Considering that the global food need will increase by 35-56%, we see once again how important it is to protect our soil. However, approximately 3/4 of our country's land area is at risk of medium and high severity desertification. One of the most important causes of desertification is erosion. Heavy rains, which increase with the climate crisis, destroy our lands by increasing erosion. In Türkiye, 642 million tons of soil are eroded every year. This means that 1 cm of fertile topsoil, which is created at least in 500 years, was lost in a short period of 16 years”.

We should protect the soil to combat climate crisis

Ms. Ataç stated that "Soil is the habitat of plants that remove from the atmosphere as well as being the largest carbon store. Therefore, protection of the soil lies at the heart the of solutions that mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. It is the duty of all to protect the soil to combat the climate crisis” said. Ms. Ataç once again called upon the decision makers indicating "We reiterate our call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35% by 2030, to end the use of fossil fuels, especially coal, and to combat desertification by protecting our soil assets."

We are raising hope!                                                                          TEMA Foundation