Wim Thiery
@wimthiery.bsky.social
Climate scientist modelling extreme events in a changing climate, Associate Professor @vubrussel.bsky.social. Previously research fellow @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social and @ethz.ch. Website: https://sites.google.com/site/wimthiery/
Pinned
Wim Thiery
@wimthiery.bsky.social
· May 12
Born into the Climate Crisis 2. An unprecedented life: Protecting children’s rights in a changing climate | Save the Children’s Resource Centre
The climate crisis is not a distant threat; it is a pressing reality that children are facing today. Despite having contributed the least to the climate crisis, the inherent intergenerational injustic...
resourcecentre.savethechildren.net
Will you live an unprecedented life?
In our new paper in @nature.com and accompanying @savethechildren.org report, we detect who will face unprecedented lifetime exposure to climate extremes (🧵) 1/n
Report: resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/bor...
Paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In our new paper in @nature.com and accompanying @savethechildren.org report, we detect who will face unprecedented lifetime exposure to climate extremes (🧵) 1/n
Report: resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/bor...
Paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Wim Thiery
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
November 10, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
10 jaar na de klimaatconferentie van Parijs gaat het deze week in Belém over hoe we dat klimaatakkoord van Parijs in stand kunnen houden: "We moeten daarvoor zes keer meer doen dan wat nu op tafel ligt."
www.vrt.be/vrtmax/luist...
www.vrt.be/vrtmax/luist...
VRT MAX
www.vrt.be
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 AM
10 jaar na de klimaatconferentie van Parijs gaat het deze week in Belém over hoe we dat klimaatakkoord van Parijs in stand kunnen houden: "We moeten daarvoor zes keer meer doen dan wat nu op tafel ligt."
www.vrt.be/vrtmax/luist...
www.vrt.be/vrtmax/luist...
Reposted by Wim Thiery
Guterres is right.
Even a temporary overshoot could unleash far greater destruction and costs for every nation. It could push ecosystems past catastrophic and irreversible tipping points.
Fossil fuel companies are deceiving the public and obstructing progress. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Even a temporary overshoot could unleash far greater destruction and costs for every nation. It could push ecosystems past catastrophic and irreversible tipping points.
Fossil fuel companies are deceiving the public and obstructing progress. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Missing 1.5C climate target is a moral failure, Guterres tells Cop30 summit
UN secretary general urges opening session in Brazil to bring about a ‘fundamental paradigm shift’
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Guterres is right.
Even a temporary overshoot could unleash far greater destruction and costs for every nation. It could push ecosystems past catastrophic and irreversible tipping points.
Fossil fuel companies are deceiving the public and obstructing progress. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Even a temporary overshoot could unleash far greater destruction and costs for every nation. It could push ecosystems past catastrophic and irreversible tipping points.
Fossil fuel companies are deceiving the public and obstructing progress. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Wim Thiery
If we do not seriously move away from burning fossil fuels, hurricanes like Melissa will only become worse. Already today Melissa tested the limits of what preparedness and adaptation can do. These limits are very real for everyone in the Caribbean. www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-chan...
November 6, 2025 at 9:40 AM
If we do not seriously move away from burning fossil fuels, hurricanes like Melissa will only become worse. Already today Melissa tested the limits of what preparedness and adaptation can do. These limits are very real for everyone in the Caribbean. www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-chan...
In our new study @natwater.nature.com led by Yi Yao @ethz.ch, we show that irrigation expansion in many regions substantially decreases the net water influx from the atmosphere to land, further aggravating the existing drying trends caused by climate change www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Irrigation-induced land water depletion aggravated by climate change - Nature Water
The rapid expansion of agricultural irrigation raises concerns about exacerbating water scarcity, but land–atmosphere interactions are often overlooked. This study isolates irrigation impacts from oth...
www.nature.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:38 AM
In our new study @natwater.nature.com led by Yi Yao @ethz.ch, we show that irrigation expansion in many regions substantially decreases the net water influx from the atmosphere to land, further aggravating the existing drying trends caused by climate change www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Reposted by Wim Thiery
Two years ago, the @esabcc.bsky.social published its advice on the EU's 2040 emissions reduction target. We indicated a 90-95% reduction relative 1990 levels.
Today, EU climate ministers agreed on a 90% target, with an 66.25-72.5% reduction as part for its new NDC for 2035.
Today, EU climate ministers agreed on a 90% target, with an 66.25-72.5% reduction as part for its new NDC for 2035.
Today, EU climate ministers agreed on a 90% net reduction in GHG emissions by 2040. The Council also updated the NDC with an indicative 66.25–72.5% reduction by 2035 The @esabcc.bsky.social contributed to this process by providing independent scientific advice on the 2040 climate target.
November 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Two years ago, the @esabcc.bsky.social published its advice on the EU's 2040 emissions reduction target. We indicated a 90-95% reduction relative 1990 levels.
Today, EU climate ministers agreed on a 90% target, with an 66.25-72.5% reduction as part for its new NDC for 2035.
Today, EU climate ministers agreed on a 90% target, with an 66.25-72.5% reduction as part for its new NDC for 2035.
Reposted by Wim Thiery
Today is the official launch of this year's @unep.org #EmissionsGap report.
It's title says it all
OFF TARGET
that's true for progress, NDCs and implementation
It's title says it all
OFF TARGET
that's true for progress, NDCs and implementation
New national climate plans have barely moved the needle on limiting global warming. Yet there is hope.
According to UNEP's latest #EmissionsGap Report, accelerated adoption of renewable energy and falling costs mean we have the tools to cut emissions now: www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
According to UNEP's latest #EmissionsGap Report, accelerated adoption of renewable energy and falling costs mean we have the tools to cut emissions now: www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
November 4, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Today is the official launch of this year's @unep.org #EmissionsGap report.
It's title says it all
OFF TARGET
that's true for progress, NDCs and implementation
It's title says it all
OFF TARGET
that's true for progress, NDCs and implementation
Reposted by Wim Thiery
What is the current state of climate action? What do latest country pledges add up to?
And how much global warming are we in for? 🌍🌡️ 🔥
For the 16th year in a row, we publish the @unep.org #emissionsgap report.
As usual, I looked the assessment of the global gap and its global warming implications.
And how much global warming are we in for? 🌍🌡️ 🔥
For the 16th year in a row, we publish the @unep.org #emissionsgap report.
As usual, I looked the assessment of the global gap and its global warming implications.
NEW: The latest climate pledges under the Paris Agreement have driven only a slight fall in predicted global temperature rise over the course of this century.
The UN Emissions Gap Report finds that implementing current policies would lead to up to 2.8°C of warming, down from 3.1°C. 🧵
The UN Emissions Gap Report finds that implementing current policies would lead to up to 2.8°C of warming, down from 3.1°C. 🧵
November 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM
What is the current state of climate action? What do latest country pledges add up to?
And how much global warming are we in for? 🌍🌡️ 🔥
For the 16th year in a row, we publish the @unep.org #emissionsgap report.
As usual, I looked the assessment of the global gap and its global warming implications.
And how much global warming are we in for? 🌍🌡️ 🔥
For the 16th year in a row, we publish the @unep.org #emissionsgap report.
As usual, I looked the assessment of the global gap and its global warming implications.
"Parijs was speciaal omdat het de eerste keer was dat er een exact temperatuurdoel werd ingesteld. Het stellen van een doel was enorm belangrijk voor landen, ngo's, bedrijven enzovoort. Het geeft een richting aan." vrtnws.be/p.xZpjAKbyl
"Een armageddon is vermeden": wat leverde het klimaatakkoord van Parijs al op? | VRT NWS: nieuws
Dankzij het klimaatakkoord van Parijs stevent onze planeet niet meer af op 4 graden opwarming, maar op 2,6 graden extra. Concreet kunnen we daarmee gemiddeld 57 extreem warme dagen per jaar vermijden....
vrtnws.be
November 3, 2025 at 10:18 AM
"Parijs was speciaal omdat het de eerste keer was dat er een exact temperatuurdoel werd ingesteld. Het stellen van een doel was enorm belangrijk voor landen, ngo's, bedrijven enzovoort. Het geeft een richting aan." vrtnws.be/p.xZpjAKbyl
Reposted by Wim Thiery
Extended hurricane category scale, following Wehner&Kossin, Proceedings of the National Academy 2024: www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
If that scale didn't stop at Category 5 for historic reasons, we would have had several Category 6 tropical cyclones since year 2000.
If that scale didn't stop at Category 5 for historic reasons, we would have had several Category 6 tropical cyclones since year 2000.
November 2, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Extended hurricane category scale, following Wehner&Kossin, Proceedings of the National Academy 2024: www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
If that scale didn't stop at Category 5 for historic reasons, we would have had several Category 6 tropical cyclones since year 2000.
If that scale didn't stop at Category 5 for historic reasons, we would have had several Category 6 tropical cyclones since year 2000.
Reposted by Wim Thiery
I wanted to offer some thoughts on the Gates climate memo that has been circulating this week. While I can't directly speak for others, I can say that my own response is one of dismay & deep frustration (and that this view is shared by many climate/Earth scientists). [1/n]
October 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I wanted to offer some thoughts on the Gates climate memo that has been circulating this week. While I can't directly speak for others, I can say that my own response is one of dismay & deep frustration (and that this view is shared by many climate/Earth scientists). [1/n]
Future changes in irrigation will reduce dry-heat stress (without reversing GHG trend) and will substantially amplify moist-heat stress (strengthening GHG trend).
New study @natcomms.nature.com led by Yi Yao @hydr-vub.bsky.social and @usyseth.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
New study @natcomms.nature.com led by Yi Yao @hydr-vub.bsky.social and @usyseth.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Compounding future escalation of emissions- and irrigation-induced increases in humid-heat stress - Nature Communications
This study shows that future exposures to moist-heat increase more rapidly than those to dry-heat, and irrigation can further amplify moist-heat-related health risks. Improving irrigation efficiency a...
www.nature.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Future changes in irrigation will reduce dry-heat stress (without reversing GHG trend) and will substantially amplify moist-heat stress (strengthening GHG trend).
New study @natcomms.nature.com led by Yi Yao @hydr-vub.bsky.social and @usyseth.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
New study @natcomms.nature.com led by Yi Yao @hydr-vub.bsky.social and @usyseth.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Wim Thiery
#HurricaneMelissa was made about four times more likely by the #climatecrisis
It's real, it's us, and it's here
www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/res...
It's real, it's us, and it's here
www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/res...
Hurricane Melissa
Published October 2025.
www.imperial.ac.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM
#HurricaneMelissa was made about four times more likely by the #climatecrisis
It's real, it's us, and it's here
www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/res...
It's real, it's us, and it's here
www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/res...
Reposted by Wim Thiery
A display of pure power from Hurricane Melissa today.
Remarkable satellite imagery.
Remarkable satellite imagery.
October 28, 2025 at 1:22 AM
A display of pure power from Hurricane Melissa today.
Remarkable satellite imagery.
Remarkable satellite imagery.
Reposted by Wim Thiery
I am the first Indigenous journalist to exclusively interview UN head António Guterres. How many others will listen?
By Wajã Xipai
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
By Wajã Xipai
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I am the first Indigenous journalist to exclusively interview António Guterres. How many others will listen?
A young journalist reflects on the UN leader’s responses, and hopes his messages – about human violence and an increasingly hostile planet – resonated before Cop30
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I am the first Indigenous journalist to exclusively interview UN head António Guterres. How many others will listen?
By Wajã Xipai
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
By Wajã Xipai
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Wim Thiery
6 AM Tuesday morning #HurricaneMelissa approaches Jamaica. Horrifying next 24 hours
says Dr. Shepherd. Pray. Been at this a long-time one of the most horrific, well-formed hurricanes I have ever seen. 175 mph winds and a direct landfall looming
says Dr. Shepherd. Pray. Been at this a long-time one of the most horrific, well-formed hurricanes I have ever seen. 175 mph winds and a direct landfall looming
October 28, 2025 at 10:09 AM
6 AM Tuesday morning #HurricaneMelissa approaches Jamaica. Horrifying next 24 hours
says Dr. Shepherd. Pray. Been at this a long-time one of the most horrific, well-formed hurricanes I have ever seen. 175 mph winds and a direct landfall looming
says Dr. Shepherd. Pray. Been at this a long-time one of the most horrific, well-formed hurricanes I have ever seen. 175 mph winds and a direct landfall looming
Reposted by Wim Thiery
World’s climate plans fall drastically short of action needed, analysis shows
- Recent plans submitted to UN by more than 60 countries would cut carbon by only 10%, a sixth of what is needed
#climatecrisis
Story by @fionaharvey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Recent plans submitted to UN by more than 60 countries would cut carbon by only 10%, a sixth of what is needed
#climatecrisis
Story by @fionaharvey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
World’s climate plans fall drastically short of action needed, analysis shows
Recent plans submitted to UN by more than 60 countries would cut carbon by only 10%, a sixth of what is needed
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:25 AM
World’s climate plans fall drastically short of action needed, analysis shows
- Recent plans submitted to UN by more than 60 countries would cut carbon by only 10%, a sixth of what is needed
#climatecrisis
Story by @fionaharvey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Recent plans submitted to UN by more than 60 countries would cut carbon by only 10%, a sixth of what is needed
#climatecrisis
Story by @fionaharvey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Op deze dag waarop belgische universiteiten protesteren tegen de kille besparingen op hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek, komt deze boodschap van het Nobelprijscommité duidelijk binnen.
Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Pewter Howitt share economics prize for work that underlines the importance of investing in research and development.
go.nature.com/4hj9NNV
go.nature.com/4hj9NNV
Economics Nobel prize won by researchers who showed how science boosts growth
Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Pewter Howitt share economics prize for work that underlines the importance of investing in research and development.
go.nature.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Op deze dag waarop belgische universiteiten protesteren tegen de kille besparingen op hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek, komt deze boodschap van het Nobelprijscommité duidelijk binnen.
Reposted by Wim Thiery
MILESTONE | Wind and solar generated OVER HALF of the UK’s electricity for the first time ⚡🇬🇧
Wind produced 7.7 TWh, while solar reached 1.7 TWh, driven by strong capacity growth and favourable weather conditions.
From our Electricity Data Explorer
🔗 loom.ly/TwPNYos
Wind produced 7.7 TWh, while solar reached 1.7 TWh, driven by strong capacity growth and favourable weather conditions.
From our Electricity Data Explorer
🔗 loom.ly/TwPNYos
October 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
MILESTONE | Wind and solar generated OVER HALF of the UK’s electricity for the first time ⚡🇬🇧
Wind produced 7.7 TWh, while solar reached 1.7 TWh, driven by strong capacity growth and favourable weather conditions.
From our Electricity Data Explorer
🔗 loom.ly/TwPNYos
Wind produced 7.7 TWh, while solar reached 1.7 TWh, driven by strong capacity growth and favourable weather conditions.
From our Electricity Data Explorer
🔗 loom.ly/TwPNYos
Reposted by Wim Thiery
MILESTONE | This September, EU solar generation already surpassed 2024's total.
In the whole of 2024, solar generated 301 TWh of EU power. By September 2025, it reached 312 TWh.
Get the latest data updates via Ember’s data explorer 🔍
https://ember-energy.org/data/electricity-data-explorer/
In the whole of 2024, solar generated 301 TWh of EU power. By September 2025, it reached 312 TWh.
Get the latest data updates via Ember’s data explorer 🔍
https://ember-energy.org/data/electricity-data-explorer/
October 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM
MILESTONE | This September, EU solar generation already surpassed 2024's total.
In the whole of 2024, solar generated 301 TWh of EU power. By September 2025, it reached 312 TWh.
Get the latest data updates via Ember’s data explorer 🔍
https://ember-energy.org/data/electricity-data-explorer/
In the whole of 2024, solar generated 301 TWh of EU power. By September 2025, it reached 312 TWh.
Get the latest data updates via Ember’s data explorer 🔍
https://ember-energy.org/data/electricity-data-explorer/
Reposted by Wim Thiery
Honored to see our MeteoSaver software featured among the @time.com top-400 best inventions of 2025. MeteoSaver is a open-source weather data rescue software developed by @derrickmuheki.bsky.social working @hydr-vub.bsky.social @vubrussel.bsky.social
time.com/collections/...
time.com/collections/...
MeteoSaver: The Best Inventions of 2025: Special Mentions
Find out why MeteoSaver earned a special mention on TIME's list of 2025's best inventions.
time.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Honored to see our MeteoSaver software featured among the @time.com top-400 best inventions of 2025. MeteoSaver is a open-source weather data rescue software developed by @derrickmuheki.bsky.social working @hydr-vub.bsky.social @vubrussel.bsky.social
time.com/collections/...
time.com/collections/...
Reposted by Wim Thiery
Renewables are a masterclass in learning-by-doing. Each doubling of deployment cuts costs via experience curves: better manufacturing, finance & supply chains.
Result:
Solar now cheapest new power in many regions
Falling battery costs enable flexibility
Electrification gets more attractive
Result:
Solar now cheapest new power in many regions
Falling battery costs enable flexibility
Electrification gets more attractive
September 30, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Renewables are a masterclass in learning-by-doing. Each doubling of deployment cuts costs via experience curves: better manufacturing, finance & supply chains.
Result:
Solar now cheapest new power in many regions
Falling battery costs enable flexibility
Electrification gets more attractive
Result:
Solar now cheapest new power in many regions
Falling battery costs enable flexibility
Electrification gets more attractive
Lopende projectoproep voor interuniversitair wetenschappelijke onderzoek in Vlaanderen wordt geannuleerd als gevolg van besparingen Vlaamse regering.
September 29, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Lopende projectoproep voor interuniversitair wetenschappelijke onderzoek in Vlaanderen wordt geannuleerd als gevolg van besparingen Vlaamse regering.
In our new study led by Delphine Ramon in @ioppublishing.bsky.social, we project exposure to dangerous heat stress around Lake Victoria under a high-end scenario. By end of century, up to 122 million people may experience dangerous heat stress for more than 5% of the year doi.org/10.1088/1748...
September 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
In our new study led by Delphine Ramon in @ioppublishing.bsky.social, we project exposure to dangerous heat stress around Lake Victoria under a high-end scenario. By end of century, up to 122 million people may experience dangerous heat stress for more than 5% of the year doi.org/10.1088/1748...