UoB China Institute Li Siguang Lecture 2025
- Location
- Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Hornton Grange, Lloyd Suite
- Dates
- Wednesday 21 May 2025 (12:30-13:30)
Professor Jimmy Jiao
Join the China Institute for our 7th annual Li Siguang Lecture! This year we are delighted to welcome UoB alumnus Prof Jimmy Jiao, Professor of Hydrogeology at the University of Hong Kong, to deliver a talk on the important topic: .
Groundwater is a vital yet often overlooked resource, constituting 99% of the world’s liquid freshwater and supporting drinking water, agriculture, ecosystems, and industry. The 21st century presents unprecedented challenges: climate change alters recharge patterns, glacier melting and permafrost thaw reshapes subsurface flow in the Tibetan plateau, and human activities—such as over-extraction and urbanization—deplete and contaminate aquifers. These pressures exacerbate sea-level rise and ecological degradation, threatening coastal zones and biodiversity.
The talk emphasizes the interconnectedness of groundwater with global systems, from sustaining rivers during droughts to enabling virtual water trade in food production. The call to action stresses building human capacity, advancing sustainable practices, and addressing water poverty to ensure groundwater’s role in achieving UN sustainability goals and mitigating the global water crisis.
Following the lecture there will be a networking reception and lunch, providing ample opportunity to explore the issues further with Jimmy and colleagues from across the University community. We hope you can join us!
Tickets are free but places are limited so to reserve your seat.