Cloud injections: The aerial solution to global warming?

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 11, 2021

Cloud injections, a technique that introduces silver iodide into clouds to stimulate rainfall, could revolutionize our approach to managing water resources and combating climate change. This technology, while promising in alleviating droughts and supporting agriculture, also raises complex ethical and environmental concerns, such as potential disruptions to natural ecosystems and international disputes over atmospheric resources. Furthermore, the widespread adoption of weather modification could lead to significant demographic shifts, as regions with successful programs may attract more settlement and investment.

Cloud injections context

Cloud injections work by adding tiny drops of silver iodide and moisture into clouds. The moisture condenses around the silver iodide, forming droplets of water. This water can become even heavier, creating snow that rains down from the sky. 

The idea behind cloud seeding comes from the eruption of a dormant volcano called Mount Pinatubo in 1991. The volcanic eruptions formed a dense particle cloud that reflected the sun’s rays away from Earth. As a result, the average global temperature was reduced by 0.6C that year. Ambitious supporters of cloud seeding propose that replicating these effects by seeding clouds could potentially reverse global warming. That’s because the clouds might act as a reflective shield covering the Earth’s stratosphere. 

A prominent scientist in the movement, Stephen Salter, believes that the annual cost of his cloud seeding technique would cost less than hosting the annual UN Climate Conference: averaging around $100 to $200 million each year. The method uses ships to generate particle trails in the sky, allowing water droplets to condense around them and form “brighter” clouds with higher protective abilities. More recently, China has adopted weather modification to assist farmers and avoid the hassles of bad weather during critical events. For example, China seeded clouds in anticipation of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to ensure the skies stay clear. 

Disruptive impact 

As droughts become more frequent and severe due to climate change, the ability to artificially induce rainfall could be a game-changer for regions suffering from water scarcity. For instance, agricultural sectors, which are heavily dependent on consistent rainfall, could leverage this technology to maintain crop yields and prevent food shortages. Moreover, the creation of artificial snow could also benefit winter tourism industries in areas where natural snowfall is declining.

However, the widespread use of weather modification also raises important ethical and environmental considerations. While cloud seeding can alleviate drought conditions in one area, it might inadvertently cause water shortages in another by altering natural weather patterns. This development could lead to conflicts between regions or countries over the control and use of atmospheric resources. Companies involved in weather modification technologies may need to navigate these complex issues, possibly through the development of regulations and guidelines that ensure fair and sustainable use.

On a governmental level, the adoption of weather modification technologies could significantly influence policy-making in disaster management and climate change mitigation. Governments might need to invest in research and development of these technologies, as well as in the infrastructure required for their implementation. For example, policies could be developed to support the use of cloud seeding in forest fire prevention and control. Additionally, as part of their climate change adaptation strategies, governments might consider weather modification as a tool to counteract the effects of increasing temperatures and drought conditions.

Implications of cloud injections

Wider implications of cloud injections may include:

• Governments moderating the weather by injecting clouds in areas with extreme climate crises and environmental disasters. 
• Reduced animal extinction by restoring the climate of unlivable habitats. 
• More reliable water supply, reducing societal stress and conflict over water resources, particularly in drought-prone areas.
• The potential for increased agricultural productivity due to more predictable rainfall patterns, particularly in rural and farming communities.
• The advancement and proliferation of weather modification technologies creating new job opportunities in research, engineering, and environmental science.
• The alteration of natural weather patterns through cloud seeding disrupting ecosystems, leading to unforeseen environmental consequences such as the loss of biodiversity.
• The control and use of weather modification technologies becoming a contentious political issue, with potential for international disputes over the manipulation of shared atmospheric resources.
• Demographic shifts occuring as regions with successful weather modification programs become more attractive for settlement and investment, potentially worsening social inequalities between regions with and without access to these technologies.

Questions to consider

• Do you think the benefits of cloud injections are more significant than their dangers (such as weaponization)? 
• Do you believe international authorities should regulate global weather modification efforts?