This spring, we are accompanying the Bacak family of Sarıkeçili nomadic pastoralists in Turkey during their hundreds of kilometres of spring migration from their wintering site on the shores of the Mediterranean to their summering sites in Central Anatolia, beyond the Taurus Mountains. Their journey highlights various dimensions of mobile pastoralism as a biodiversity and climate-friendly cultural practice. We are excited to share our in-situ observations day by day, each focusing on a particular aspect of mobile pastoralism.  

Pastures represent one of the largest carbon sinks on the planet, making mobile pastoralism a critical tool in the fight against climate change. This system maintains carbon-rich soils and sustains ecosystems with high carbon fixation capacity. It is essential to keep these areas managed under sustainable grazing practices to maximize their potential for climate change mitigation.  

Moreover, mobile pastoralism is the livestock production system that requires the least fossil fuel energy, thereby reducing the demand for industrial feed. Industrial feed production and transportation are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. By minimizing reliance on these practices, mobile pastoralism emerges as the most climate-friendly livestock production system. Recent research suggests that policy recommendations to reduce extensive livestock farming to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions may be counter-productive. Instead, supporting and promoting mobile pastoralism can play a crucial role in achieving climate change goals while maintaining sustainable livelihoods for pastoral communities.

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