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/
VUB press release about Yi Yao's three publications on irrigation-climate interactions: www.vub.be/en/news/when...
When Irrigation Backfires
Global farming practices are driving heat stress and water strain, VUB researchers warn
www.vub.be
November 6, 2025 at 9:38 AM
VUB press release about Yi Yao's three publications on irrigation-climate interactions: www.vub.be/en/news/when...
This is the second study analyzing the outputs of the @wcrp-cmip.org endorsed #IRRMIP project. It's also the third paper led by the amazing Yi Yao (VUB PhD graduate), coming out this year. bsky.app/profile/wimt...
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
November 6, 2025 at 9:38 AM
This is the second study analyzing the outputs of the @wcrp-cmip.org endorsed #IRRMIP project. It's also the third paper led by the amazing Yi Yao (VUB PhD graduate), coming out this year. bsky.app/profile/wimt...
For example, irrigation expansion more then doubled the trend in water loss to the atmosphere (P-E) in South Asia after 1960. As a consequence, the local terrestrial water storage (TWS) depletes over time following irrigation expansion.
November 6, 2025 at 9:38 AM
For example, irrigation expansion more then doubled the trend in water loss to the atmosphere (P-E) in South Asia after 1960. As a consequence, the local terrestrial water storage (TWS) depletes over time following irrigation expansion.
Our results underscore the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, limiting irrigation expansion and improving irrigation efficiency to preserve water resources and decelerate escalating exposure to dry- and moist-heat stress.
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Our results underscore the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, limiting irrigation expansion and improving irrigation efficiency to preserve water resources and decelerate escalating exposure to dry- and moist-heat stress.
In contract, moist-heat extreme event frequency increases substantially due to irrigation (by ≥1600 h yr−1 under SSP3-7.0 in tropics), and irrigation amplifies the hours of exposure (by ≥100 h yr−1 in South Asia), raising the risk of moist-heat-related illnesses & mortality for exposed communities
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
In contract, moist-heat extreme event frequency increases substantially due to irrigation (by ≥1600 h yr−1 under SSP3-7.0 in tropics), and irrigation amplifies the hours of exposure (by ≥100 h yr−1 in South Asia), raising the risk of moist-heat-related illnesses & mortality for exposed communities
Irrigation is projected to reduce the occurrence of dry-heat stress under both scenarios, but cannot reverse the warming trend due to greenhouse gas emissions
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Irrigation is projected to reduce the occurrence of dry-heat stress under both scenarios, but cannot reverse the warming trend due to greenhouse gas emissions
We project that annual irrigation water withdrawal decreases under SSP1-2.6 (from ~2100 to ~1700 km3 yr−1) but increases under SSP3-7.0 (to ~2400 km3 yr−1), with some new irrigation hot spots emerging, especially in Africa
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
We project that annual irrigation water withdrawal decreases under SSP1-2.6 (from ~2100 to ~1700 km3 yr−1) but increases under SSP3-7.0 (to ~2400 km3 yr−1), with some new irrigation hot spots emerging, especially in Africa
Irrigation is an important historical climate forcing, but so far no study explored its future climatic impacts considering possible changes in both extent and efficiency.
We develop irrigation efficiency scenarios along the SSPs, implement these in CESM, and generate projections for 2015–2074.
We develop irrigation efficiency scenarios along the SSPs, implement these in CESM, and generate projections for 2015–2074.
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Irrigation is an important historical climate forcing, but so far no study explored its future climatic impacts considering possible changes in both extent and efficiency.
We develop irrigation efficiency scenarios along the SSPs, implement these in CESM, and generate projections for 2015–2074.
We develop irrigation efficiency scenarios along the SSPs, implement these in CESM, and generate projections for 2015–2074.
Many congratulations Yann, this is wonderful news and truly deserved!!!
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Many congratulations Yann, this is wonderful news and truly deserved!!!