Changing Climate Impacting on Water and Energy Needs for Millions

YURTSEVEN İ., ERDEN H., SERENGİL Y.

in: Environmental Security, Geological Hazards and Management, Santamarta-Cerezal, J.C., Hernandes Gutierrez, L.E, Editor, Universidad De La Laguna, Tenerife, pp.155-162, 2013

  • Publication Type: Book Chapter / Chapter Research Book
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Publisher: Universidad De La Laguna
  • City: Tenerife
  • Page Numbers: pp.155-162
  • Editors: Santamarta-Cerezal, J.C., Hernandes Gutierrez, L.E, Editor
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Urbanization is a reality of our times. Living conditions in the cities become more appealing to promote migration from rural areas. There are many positive consequences of urbanization (i.e. public transportation, energy savings, and decrease pressure on rural lands) but there are also negative ones too. Water, food and energy supply are the most vital needs of large populations. In this paper we discuss these issues and give examples from Istanbul, the largest city of Turkey. The almost 14 million inhabitants use an average of 2.6 million cubic meters of water per day which can be supplied from more than ten reservoirs. One third of this water is transported from 200 km distance to the city. The climate change adds up more stress to this supply-demand relationship in terma of water and energy because around 98 percent of the water used in the city comes from surface. To make this more complicated, another 2-3 million population is planned to the northern side of the city that used to be less human impacted.