Behind the COP31 fanfare, Türkiye is worried about water

Résumé détaillé

Highlighting the urgency of climate diplomacy, more frequent droughts are depleting the country's lakes and half the population is at risk of water shortages by 2030 The post…

Efe Baysal leads the Türkiye team of global climate advocacy group 350.org.

As Türkiye welcomed world leaders in Antalya during the first week of the UN climate summit, few were probably aware that wildfires raged just a few kilometres from the COP31 venue in September, injuring several people and forcing hundreds to flee their homes.

Wildfires are one of the signs of a rapidly heating planet. Prolonged heatwaves and drought create ideal conditions for fires to start and to spread. In the coastal province of Antalya, 8,000 hectares have already been lost to forest fires this year alone.

Efe Baysal leads the Türkiye team of global climate advocacy group 350.org.

As Türkiye welcomed world leaders in Antalya during the first week of the UN climate summit, few were probably aware that wildfires raged just a few kilometres from the COP31 venue in September, injuring several people and forcing hundreds to flee their homes.

Wildfires are one of the signs of a rapidly heating planet. Prolonged heatwaves and drought create ideal conditions for fires to start and to spread. In the coastal province of Antalya, 8,000 hectares have already been lost to forest fires this year alone.

It is a crucial moment for climate diplomacy. This year we have seen the human cost and mounting economic damage of climate impacts, from Europe’s heatwaves to Nepal’s deadly glacial floods. Scientists warn that the world will breach the 1.5C temperature limit within a few years.

The stakes have never been higher as the Turkish government takes its turn hosting the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN climate convention. Türkiye has a lot riding on the summit, and not only its ability to stage one. Many in the country hope COP31 will put a spotlight on its own climate and environmental crisis.

Extreme weather in Türkiye is becoming far more frequent. In 2011, the country recorded more than 300 extreme weather events.

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