Agricultural irrigation induces greenhouse gas emissions directly from soils or indirectly through the use of energy or construction of dams and irrigation infrastructure, while climate change affects irrigation demand, water availability and the greenhouse gas intensity of irrigation energy. Here, we present a scoping review to elaborate on these irrigation-climate linkages by synthesizing knowledge across different fields, emphasizing the growing role climate change may have in driving future irrigation expansion and reinforcing some of the positive feedbacks. This Review underscores the urgent need to promote and adopt sustainable irrigation, especially in regions dominated by strong, positive feedbacks. Irrigation expansion is expected to meet increasing food demand and help agriculture adapt to climate change. This Review article synthesizes the various linkages between irrigation and climate, evaluating their impacts on each other and presenting innovative solutions for sustainable irrigation under climate change.
Yang, Y; Jin, ZN; Mueller, ND; Driscoll, AW; Hernandez, RR; Grodsky, SM; Sloat, LL; Chester, MV; Zhu, YG; Lobell, DB
Sustainable irrigation and climate feedbacks
Nature Food