Exploring Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as an Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change in Turkey

Year 2022, Issue: 44, 289 - 306, 08.07.2022

Seyfullah Gül

https://doi.org/10.26650/JGEOG2022-1093425

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to determine the role of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in coping with climate change and adapting to projected climate changes in the case of Turkey. In order to accomplish this research objective, we have set out to present TEK examples on themes such as (1) local climate information, (2) understanding climate change, (3) coping with climate change and developing adaptation strategies, and (4) correct management and protection of natural resources. This paper uses the qualitative research design of ethnographic research. The data were collected using qualitative data collection methods such as observations and interviews between 2018-2021, with the data analysis using the descriptive analysis technique. The purposeful sampling method of convenience sampling was used to select the places to be observed and the study group. This paper reveals the local communities to have developed TEK practices and strategies against climate change and the problems that arise as a result in Turkey. Integrating these TEK examples with scientific knowledge in Turkey is believed to be able to play an important role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Keywords

Local community, Local climate information, Adaptation strategies

Türkiye’de İklim Değişikliğiyle Mücadelede Acil Bir Eylem Olarak Geleneksel Ekolojik Bilgiyi (GEB) Keşfetmek

Abstract

Bu makalenin amacı, Türkiye örneğinde iklim değişikliği ile başa çıkmada ve öngörülen iklim değişikliklerine uyum sağlamada Geleneksel Ekolojik Bilginin (GEB) rolünü belirlemektir. Bu amaca ulaşmak için Türkiye’de GEB’in; (1) yerel iklim bilgisi, (2) iklim değişikliğini anlama, (3) iklim değişikliğiyle başa çıkma ve uyum stratejileri geliştirme, (4) doğal kaynakların doğru yönetimi ve korunması gibi konulardaki rolü nitel araştırma desenlerinden kültür analizi (etnografya) yöntemiyle belgelenmeye ve karakterize edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Çalışma verileri, 2018-2021 yıllarını kapsayan bir süreçte gözlem ve görüşme gibi nitel veri toplama yöntemleriyle toplanmış ve elde edilen verilerin analizinde betimsel analiz tekniği kullanılmıştır. Gözlem yapılacak yerlerin ve çalışma grubunun seçiminde ise amaçlı örnekleme yöntemlerinden kolay ulaşılabilir durum örneklemesi kullanılmıştır. Çalışma, Türkiye’de iklim değişikliği ve iklim değişikliği sonucu ortaya çıkan sorunlara karşı yerel halkın yöresel farklılıklar gösterebilen GEB uygulama ve stratejileri geliştirdiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Türkiye’de GEB örneklerinin bilimsel bilgiye entegre edilmesinin iklim değişikliğiyle başa çıkma ve iklim değişikliğine uyum stratejileri geliştirmede önemli bir rol oynayabileceğine inanılmaktadır. 

Keywords

Local community, Local climate information, Adaptation strategies

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