In the event, organized within the scope of World Water Day on March 22, Prof. Dr. Mahmut Yılmaz stated that 97.5% of the total water in the world is saltwater and 2.5% is freshwater; however, not all freshwater is directly usable. Yılmaz noted that the amount of water directly usable by humans corresponds to approximately 0.3% of the world's total water resources, emphasizing that many countries are classified as "water-poor" due to the limited and unequal distribution of accessible freshwater resources.
Prof. Dr. Yılmaz stated that Turkey is not a water-rich country as is commonly believed, and that the annual per capita usable water amount is approximately 1,319 m³, a value that is quite close to critical thresholds. Yılmaz stated that this situation positions Turkey among countries experiencing water stress, and that with population growth, the amount of water per capita will decrease even further, making agricultural and industrial water use risky. He also noted that it is predicted that more than half of the world's population will experience water scarcity by 2050.
Drawing attention to the fact that water consumption often occurs in unseen areas, Yılmaz stated that approximately 70% of global water use is in agriculture, 20% in industry, and 10% in domestic use. He emphasized that if sustainable water management strategies are not developed, a serious global water crisis could occur due to the effects of climate change and population growth. He stated that this could disrupt agricultural production, lead to disruptions in industrial production, and cause economic problems.
Highlighting the importance of implementing sustainable solutions in the face of water stress in Turkey, Yılmaz concluded his presentation by stating that awareness of water conservation should be increased, sustainable consumption habits should be widespread, and holistic policies should be implemented. During the question-and-answer session of the conference, participants exchanged views on water consumption and sustainable management strategies. The program concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation by Associate Professor Gökhan Filik, Deputy Head of the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology.
