Page 23 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 1

Zekâi Şen

Due to climate change, and especially variations, changes are expected in
the frequency and intensity of floods. After heavy rains, an increase is expected
in the volume of surface flow. This has happened quite often, especially
in recent years in the Mediterranean and Black Sea (Western and Central)
regions. In these regions, where a decrease in the intensity of rain is expected,
an increase in the number and frequency of floods is also expected, which is a
case in Türkiye as for the issue in Central Anatolia. Overall, towards the end of
the century, an increase in the areas affected by drought is expected. In some
water collection areas, it is possible to see floods and droughts one after the
other.

Climate Change and Socio-economic Problems

With the goal to meet the needs today without preventing future generations
from refraining their needs, methods to adapt, reduce and mitigate with
climate change should be developed. This should be done in coordination
and with applications to support sustainable development adapted to local
needs. Within the concept of sustainable development, it is important for
existing social institutions to manage human activities to reduce climate
change. For instance, poverty can be a problem in itself, but sustainable
development requires meeting the basic needs of every individual and works
towards providing better opportunities for people to lead a better life.
Fresh water ecosystems allows many people around the world to survive
and makes it possible to deliver precious goods and services to each society.
The ecosystem under the most urgent threat is linked to water. In case of
a failure to manage water resources effectively and efficiently, these water
resources will become extinct, which will lead to environmental problems (A
case in point is the Aral Sea). Countries aiming to continue their development
plans have problems especially with their efforts to prevent the depletion
of natural resources and environmental damages. Thus, as their economy
improves, countries must focus on making their developmental process
sustainable, which will hopefully decrease the number of problems. It is
especially advisable to protect freshwater resources from the effects of global
warming and climate change.
Although not an unlimited source, water can be renewed and rendered
sustainable through hydrological transformation. Water management
should be done in a way that balances conflicting demands. Water resource
management should be prioritized towards demands for the use by
residencies, industrial institutions and agricultural facilities. Until recently,
there were attempts to reduce water use in many regions. It has become
a common practice to draw and consume water from natural resources.

8 Journal of Environment, Urbanization and Climate,