The severe drought affecting Lake Van, Turkey’s largest lake located in the far east of the country, highlights the consequences that climate change could have for the environment and for the future generations. Considered the world’s largest soda lake, declining rainfall and snowmelt from nearby Mount Ararat have caused the lake’s level to drop by several metres: the shore has receded by more than a kilometre in some areas in recent years.
Ferzende Coşar, a well-known photographer in the region, has compared two photographs he took, one taken 15 years ago and one taken today, both from a jetty that was built some 30 years ago, showing how Lake Van is disappearing before our eyes due to climate change: “When I look at my photo archive, there is a drastic difference between the photos I took before and the ones I take now. The water level of the lake has dropped considerably. I can see the extent of the danger… There used to be fishing, people swimming, and boats in this area. Now, it is completely covered with grass. Our hope is that one day a lot of rain will come and the water level will recover”.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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