Chemist and meteorologist Vincent Schaefer began cloud seeding experiments in the U.S. in the 1940s. Typically, his weather modification involves putting silver iodide into clouds to simulate natural precipitation processes, generally to bring rain in drought situations.
Dr. David Legates of the Cornwall Alliance says such efforts are a waste of money, but some politicians like to take credit if seeding efforts seemingly work.
"If it rains tomorrow, did the cloud seeding project cause the rain, or would it have rained anyway?" he poses.
Seeding experiments have also been done for hail suppression and to dissipate clouds, and scientists say it works in some cases.
The United Kingdom has given the go-ahead to reduce sunlight as alarmists are concerned that carbon dioxide levels are not falling fast enough. One experiment includes putting tiny particles in the atmosphere to reflect sunlight. Another uses sea salt particles to enhance the reflectivity of low-lying clouds.
Aria, the government's advanced research and invention funding agency, has set aside £50 million for these.
The Telegraph notes that geoengineering projects that seek to artificially alter the climate have proven controversial, with critics arguing they could bring damaging knock-on effects, as well as being an unhelpful distraction from lowering emissions.
"Ethically, I would hate to be the one who started that, and it got out of control and … caused a catastrophe in one area, an unintended consequence," comments Dr. Charles Wax, professor emeritus of Meteorology and Climatology at Mississippi State University. "There aren't any boundaries in the atmosphere."
"Cloud seeding really isn't efficient," Dr. Legates adds. "It doesn't give you enough water all the time, and the reason is because usually when you're in a drought, the dynamics have changed such that moist air is not being brought in, and moist air is not being forced to rise."
Experts in the U.K., however, hope the projects prove successful and can be scaled up and implemented within 10 years.
