On World Water Day, which falls on March 22, Prof. Dr. Kasım Yenigün, the Vice Rector of our University, delivered significant remarks regarding the global issue of climate change and the water crisis both globally and within our nation.
Vice-Rector Prof.Dr. Kasım Yenigün participated in the NTV programme at the Atatürk Arboretum on March 22, 2024. According to Prof. Dr. Yenigün, 97.5% of the world's water is salt water, and only 2.5% is freshwater, the majority of which is arctic and underground, and very little of the surface water is used by humans.
Prof.Dr. Yenigün stated that in our country, with an annual water consumption of 54 billion cubic metres, 40 billion cubic metres (74%) of this water is used for agricultural irrigation, 7 billion cubic metres (13%) for domestic use, and 7 billion cubic metres (13%) for meeting industrial water needs, and pointed out that our country is in a water crisis today. Still, Turkey will be a water-poor country in 2030.
Prof. Dr. Yenigün underlined that the population in our country is expected to increase by 10% in 2030; however, water resources will decrease by 20%, and our nation will enter a severe water shortage in the future. He also stated that the water used abundantly today will not be available, and people should adapt to less water use.
"We must learn to live with less water."
Vice-Rector Kasım Yenigün stated that countries had taken measures to manage the climate and water crisis. They have carried out many projects for carbon reduction and effective use of water resources, including applications for adaptation to living with less water.
Pointing out that the 180 litres per person per day used in our country today will be 150 litres in the coming years and 125–100 litres after 2030, he reminded us that people should learn to live more efficiently with less water. Pointing out that two institutions are working on climate change and the water crisis in our country, Prof. Dr Yenigün stated that the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) and the General Directorate of Water Management are preparing a water management plan by using the data in the basins. Expressing his satisfaction with the work carried out by the two institutions, Yenigün said that with the domestically and nationally produced National Water Information System, the water management policy of our country is determined by providing support to decision-makers with the national water inventory.
"The climate crisis will be costly"
Stating that the world's temperature has increased by 1.20 C in the last 30 years, Prof. Dr Yenigün pointed out that this temperature will rise to 6 C between 2030-2050. Pointing out that 2700 disasters have been reported in the last 30 years, and 900 people have died in these disasters, Prof. Dr Yenigün asked how the climate crisis will affect human life and whether people are ready for this change.
Prof. Dr Yenigün mentioned that alternative solutions to the climate crisis are being focused on in our country and underlined that water management, most of which is used in agriculture, should be regulated. Farmers should be trained, drip irrigation methods should be widespread, and night irrigation and using plants that require less water should be widespread to reduce summer evaporation. Prof. Dr. Yenigün said it is essential to choose the right plant according to the available water and train for this. He emphasised that water pricing is a measure to reduce excessive water consumption.
Noting that the 2023 Water Efficiency Mobilization is important, Prof. Dr. Yenigün underlined that adopting efficient water use by all state levels is essential. The Vice Rector also mentioned that March 30th was declared "Zero Waste Day" by the United Nations and that this is a critical awareness.
Prof.Dr. Yenigün stated that water is consumed in ways we cannot see with our eyes, pointing out that much water is used to produce an extra shirt and underlining the importance of water efficiency in all fields.
