Authorities Assert that the Technologies Employed for Manipulating Climate Fail to Deliver Desired Outcomes
For centuries, humans have yearned to control the whims of nature, specifically the weather, due to its devastating impacts. The United States, much like other empires that have succumbed to their own arrogance, has sought to manipulate the skies for its benefit. A new study conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that the U.S. isn't cutting it when it comes to weather control.
The report focuses on "cloud seeding," a technique that involves introducing silver iodide crystals into clouds to make them produce precipitation. As droughts persistently affect western states, local governments are investing in cloud seeding as a potential solution.
However, the efficacy of cloud seeding remains uncertain. While there's some theoretical basis, the GAO acknowledged that it's nearly impossible to measure its impact. The report stated, "Cloud seeding may enhance water availability and yield economic, environmental, and health benefits. The studies we reviewed produced estimates of additional precipitation ranging from 0% to 20%." But, it went on to say, "it's challenging to evaluate the effects of cloud seeding due to limitations in effectiveness research."
The concept of cloud seeding originated in the nineteenth century but wasn't fully explored until after World War II. The GAO noted that in 1940s, scientists discovered that clouds could be artificially induced to produce ice crystals using dry ice or silver iodide crystals. This led to substantial funding for research and experimentation. For instance, in 1978, the federal spending on weather modification was approximately $68 million, adjusted for inflation.
Despite decades of research, scientists have struggled to prove the effectiveness of cloud seeding. In the 1980s, funding for cloud seeding programs was reduced dramatically, and today, most cloud seeding initiatives are driven by local governments. Nine states (California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming) currently implement cloud seeding programs.
Methods and specifics of cloud seeding vary considerably between countries and even within states. The seeding can be done from an airplane or a ground-based cannon, and different substances like silver iodide, sodium chloride, dry ice, and liquid propane are used as seeds.
The GAO report outlines the limitations of the technology. Utah, for instance, invests $12 million annually in cloud seeding without significant results. Varying precipitation without cloud seeding is difficult to quantify, making it hard to create a control group for studies. It's also challenging to identify the impact of seeding on rainfall in specific areas due to statistical inconsistencies in previous seed-based rainfall studies.
The report revealed that one study found an average precipitation increase of 3% across 118 cases, but the effect wasn't statistically significant. Another study reported a 3% precipitation increase between 1977 and 2018 across nine cases, but the results were inconclusive in seven cases.
The GAO also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the environmental consequences of pumping silver iodine crystals and other particulates into clouds to induce rain. While increased water in dry areas is generally beneficial, altering water levels in fragile ecosystems might have unintended consequences.
The report raised concerns about silver iodine toxicity in large quantities. "Silver iodide is nearly insoluble in water," the report stated. "However, when it dissolves, it releases a small number of silver ions. In high enough quantities, silver ions—a known antimicrobial substance—could have harmful effects on beneficial bacteria in the environment and water resources."
The GAO also addressed the issue of conspiracy theories surrounding cloud seeding programs. Government weather control has long been a favorite of conspiracy theorists, with figures like Alex Jones frequently promoting it. The report mentioned that after Hurricane Helene, Georgia GOP representative Marjorie Taylor Greene fueled conspiracy theories about government weather control.
As a result, some politicians have started viewing cloud seeding as a threat. In April, Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill banning all forms of cloud seeding in the state. They claimed they were taking action to prevent "chemtrails," but a ban on cloud seeding will have no impact on actual chemtrails. Chemtrails are simply the trails of condensation and exhaust left behind by aircraft.
The text discusses the use of cloud seeding as a potential solution to droughts, a technique that involves introducing silver iodide crystals into clouds. In the future, the uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness and environmental consequences of this technology may require a reevaluation of its use.
As funding for cloud seeding programs fluctuates, future research should focus on establishing clearer evidence of its impact and addressing concerns about silver iodine toxicity in large quantities. Additionally, debunking conspiracy theories surrounding cloud seeding programs, such as those proselytized by Alex Jones and Marjorie Taylor Greene, is crucial for public understanding and support of weather modification techniques.
