Turkey has launched a water efficiency campaign led by Turkish first lady, Emine Erdogan to tackle the water shortage crisis, which is becoming a global threat.
The campaign aims to, among other things, prevent water loss in homes, workplaces and industry, establish legal infrastructure, use modern irrigation methods in agriculture and raise public awareness in Türkiye, which is experiencing water stress due to climate change.
“Due to the gradual decrease in precipitation and unconscious water consumption, our agricultural lands, wetlands, streams, and underground water resources are being tested by the threat of drought,”Lady Erdogan was quoted as saying at the launching ceremony in Ankara.
Speaking further, she said,”For people who cannot survive even three days without water, we need to remind ourselves that the fight against drought is actually a struggle for survival. I believe that we will raise hope for a livable future with the water efficiency campaign, which we started with this perspective,”
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Erdogan said that the world’s access to fresh water is less than 1% of total water presence, and while water is the most basic human right, globally, three out of 10 people do not have access to safe water, adding that pollution or inaccessibility of water brings many economic and political problems in the world, such as the risk of food production.
“It is estimated that 700 million people will be displaced by water scarcity in 2030, while humanity is still unable to cope even with the mass migrations triggered by conflicts,”she said. “The alarming situation in the world, unfortunately, does not differ in our country. Türkiye is a water-stressed country with 1,519 cubic meters of usable water per capita per year. It is thought that this amount will decrease to 1,120 cubic meters in 2030 with the increasing population and uncontrolled water use. When it goes below 1,000 cubic meters, we will face water scarcity,”.
She explained that if the country does nothing to address the situation, it is estimated that the country’s water resources will decrease by 25% in the near future, and in the next eight years, almost half of the population and 78% of irrigated agricultural areas may face the risk of water shortage.
“Let’s protect our future together with the belief that ‘water is the homeland’ and with the spirit of mobilization,” she urged.
Story was adapted from AA.
