Direct human influence of irrigation on atmospheric water vapour and climate |
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| Authors: | O Boucher G Myhre A Myhre |
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| Institution: | (1) Laboratoire d Optique Atmosphérique, CNRS/USTL, 59655 Villeneuve dAscq Cedex, France;(2) Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway;(3) Telemark University College, 3800 Bø, Norway |
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| Abstract: | Human activity increases the atmospheric water vapour content in an indirect way through climate feedbacks. We conclude here that human activity also has a direct influence on the water vapour concentration through irrigation. In idealised simulations we estimate a global mean radiative forcing in the range of 0.03 to +0.1 Wm–2 due to the increase in water vapour from irrigation. However, because the water cycle is embodied in the climate system, irrigation has a more complex influence on climate. We also simulate a change in the temperature vertical profile and a large surface cooling of up to 0.8 K over irrigated land areas. This is of opposite sign than expected from the radiative forcing alone, and this questions the applicability of the radiative forcing concept for such a climatic perturbation. Further, this study shows stronger links than previously recognised between climate change and freshwater scarcity which are environmental issues of paramount importance for the twenty first century. |
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