WATER and our future!

With a glass of water in one hand and the air conditioner remote in the other, as I write this piece at 35 degrees, I am also thinking of the students sweating it out during the LGS (High School Entrance Exam). To have the scorching heat rise by 10 degrees all of a sudden on top of exam anxiety! I wish all students the best of luck in their exams.

An alarm has been issued for Istanbul. It was stated, “Those with chronic conditions, the elderly, and children should not go out between 11:00 and 16:00.” It is said that temperatures in Antalya will reach 40 degrees during the week, Hatay will see 42 degrees, and temperatures in Bolu and Samsun will exceed 32 degrees.

While we are busy with Turkey's agenda, the world's average temperature has exceeded the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Everything defined as abnormal is now our new normal!

Climate change is showing its effect with all its intensity.

Sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic have reached their highest level in the last 40 years.

The State of the Maldives has signed a refugee agreement with Australia due to the risk of being submerged.

It is predicted that temperatures in June, July, and August will remain well above average.

The Paris Olympics are already taking precautions against the expected scorching temperatures. A special ventilation system will be installed in the Olympic Village.

It is obvious that unless active and urgent intervention is taken, the increase will continue and we will face the deadly consequences of the climate crisis!

If a solution to the climate crisis is not found, humanity will face water scarcity.

Let's assume we put all the seas, oceans, rivers, and groundwater in the world into a 5-liter glass bottle. The amount of fresh water that humans can utilize is only about 1 teaspoon.

And 75 percent of this small amount of fresh water is used in agriculture. Due to wild irrigation, incorrect practices in agriculture, and the increasing population, the amount of fresh water per capita in Turkey has dropped to one-fourth in the last 60 years. Experts are warning…

Turkey has regressed among countries experiencing “water stress.”

If we do not switch to modern irrigation techniques, it is only a matter of time before we become a “water-poor” country due to the effects of climate change and the pollution of water basins by industry!

I can hear you saying to yourselves, “Am I going to save the world?”

My hair stood on end when I learned that 140 liters of water are spent for the cup of coffee I drank while writing this article. Shall we multiply the examples?

A full 400 thousand liters of water are spent for the production of an average-segment automobile. 10,800 liters of water go into the production of an average brand pair of jeans you wear. 16,600 liters of water are required for a pair of leather shoes.

“Every power that is not united is weak,” says La Fontaine. We must do something together! Before the water in our tap is cut off, we must learn to develop new habits for a sustainable life. Frugality in water consumption should be considered the virtue of our age.

Before it is too late, I am also taking action.

Tomorrow, I am setting out on a journey towards my new documentary, “WATER”…