KARAMAN // Every spring Hasan Bacak, his wife, Emine, and their 1-year old son, Mehmet, migrate for weeks in search of higher ground for their livestock to graze. Theirs is a simple life shaped by the tempo of the seasons.
They’re members of the Sarikecili, an indigenous nomad group in southern Turkey that moves every summer from the Mediterranean coast to the Anatolian mountains with their herds, chasing cooler climates as temperatures rise near the shore and become too oppressive for their animals. With 14 camels and about 250 goats, the family navigates rough terrain, tracing an ancient route forged by their forefathers.
But climate change is altering the course and speed of their annual journey. There isn’t enough rainfall in the winter, so where years ago they stayed for days on end in on one spot, they now have to keep moving on a daily basis.
“Every year here, the length of the herb used to be like that,” says Hasan Bacak, gesturing to a small bush. “This year it’s not. It’s dry, because there is no rain. If there had been rain, there would have been herbs here this year. We would have stayed three days here.”
Mikdat Kadioglu, professor of meteorology engineering at Istanbul Technical University, says winters are now warmer and there’s less rain then to help things grow.
Hasan, who was born in these mountains, has been a nomad his whole life and witnessed the changes firsthand.
“Before there used to be snow here, we used to eat snow,” he said. “Now, there is no snow for two years.”
Ayse Hilal Tuztas, an anthropologist who carried out research on the Sarakecili, says there are around 150 families – about 800 to 1,000 people – left in Turkey who still live this traditional lifestyle.
“Their life depends on water and rain,” she says. “Climate change is affecting the precipitation negatively. And of course, this negative effect is also affecting the continuation of the nomad life.”
Every day, after a breakfast of bread and goat cheese, Hasan readies the camels, while his wife sets off with the goats, cutting a path across a jagged landscape.
Packing up every day takes a toll, especially with a baby, he says.
“We were more comfortable before. I remember that we used to stay here for a week. But now, I arrived yesterday, I am leaving today. There is no green, the cattle don’t stop.”
* Associated Press
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
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Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
