Make It Rain: Playing God or Saving the Planet?
Make It Rain: Playing God or Saving the Planet?
Although many still view weather manipulation as fictitious as flying cars are, countries worldwide have tested the potential of this technology since the 19th century. The initial interest in weather manipulation was to utilize it for military tactics and warfare. However, the United Nations prohibited weather modification as a weapon of choice during the Environmental Modification Convention of 1978. As climate change became a prominent issue, drought-prone countries began experimenting with triggering, intensifying, and even preventing snow or rain.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification practice that aims to increase precipitation levels through the emission of substances in the air. Cloud seeding can be induced through ground-based generators or any aircraft. Most operations involve emitting the following compounds into the atmosphere: silver iodide (AgI), potassium iodine (KI), table salt, or dry ice. After the compounds reach the designated atmosphere and react within the clouds, ice particles can activate in the form of water droplets and snowflakes. A successful process would yield fresh snow or rain as the heavy frozen clusters descend from the sky, which would replenish natural water sources.
This artificial process has been actively adopted by the U.S. government to quench the parched states. In March of 2023, the Southern Nevada Water Authority voted in favor of accepting a 2.4 million grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to fund cloud seeding in Western states. States like Wyoming and Utah have been investing in growth and research of cloud seeding for nearly a decade due to the rise of pressures on the Colorado River. Key reservoirs in the Colorado River, a vital water source for seven states, hit record lows, and with no signs of improvement without conservation efforts.
The benefits of cloud seeding are immense in areas of drought, although risks do linger. Various studies indicate that cloud seeding can add 5% to 15% more precipitation from storm clouds. Furthermore, it has been successfully used to prevent hailstorms. In 2021, the UAE National Center of Meteorology began cloud seeding near Dubai using a different technique of zapping cloud molecules with an electric charge. It rained so much that a flood occurred in the normally dry desert city. Regardless, the risk-to-reward ratio appears to be favorable. Cloud seeding costs around a few dollars per acre-foot of water while other water-conservation methods can cost upwards of hundreds of dollars per acre-foot. However, it is not scientifically determined that cloud seeding is as successful as they make it to be. Based on current knowledge of our complex weather systems, long-term consequences are yet to be evidenced. Environmentalists are concerned that people will depend on these technologies too much to combat climate change instead of discussing the narrative of saving water, which appears to be a more difficult conversation to have.
Reading Test
1. What best identifies the objective of the title?
A. To compare and contrast the dichotomy of weather manipulation
B.To question the validity of weather manipulation
C. To encourage a debate about weather manipulation
D. To address the ethical dilemma of weather manipulation
2. What is considered a legitimate function of weather modification?
A. Exposing citizens to biological agents that have an unknown long-lasting impact
B. Initiating natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes as weapons of destruction
C. Initiating precipitation to increase comfort in the citizens’ livelihood
D. Initiating rainfall or snowfall over a parched expanse to increase natural water resources
3. According to paragraph 2, what cannot be used to emit chemical compounds into the air?
A. Kites
B. Drones
C. Planes
D. Rockets
4. What is not mentioned in the text as one of the steps of cloud seeding?
A. Collapse of dense frozen clusters from the sky
B. Activation of ice particles in the form of water droplets of snowflakes
C. Planting of salt chemicals in the ground to allow for changes in the natural balance
D. Dissemination of substances in the atmosphere
5. What is the definition of the word “parched” (P3)?
A. Replenished
B. Arid
C. Irregular
D. Tempest
6. What is the main reason why Western states accept the grant from the government, according to the author?
A. The water source for western states has been depreciating due to climate change
B. To invest in additional and progressive research to find effective solutions for climate change
C. Any government grant can give a leg-up for struggling states
D. Grants are free aid from the government that can support a broad range of public services
7. The word “vital” stems from the Latin word “vita” (n), which means:
A. Carry
B. Health
C. Strength
D. Life
8. What is the most harmful danger of cloud seeding as shown in the text?
A. Cloud seeding is a costly procedure that takes hundreds of dollars per acre-foot
B. Hailstorms can occur, posing a physical threat to properties
C. Flooding can damage cities when proper infrastructure for water diversion and storage is not in place
D. More precipitation means more car accidents, crop damage, and soil erosion
9. Why is it more practical to use cloud seeding than other methods of water conservation?
A. Decades-long research provides solid evidence that cloud seeding can add up to 15% more precipitation
B. Cloud seeding is a more affordable option for taxpayers than other methods
C. Cloud seeding proved to be effective in numerous areas across the globe, including Dubai
D. Cloud seeding is a realistic option for the lazy generation that is adverse to implementing actual changes in their water use
10. What best represents the environmentalists’ concerns?
A. The current generation may depend on relatively easy and tentative solutions rather than on difficult, yet credible solutions to climate change
B. Undetermined long-term repercussions of weather manipulation may reveal themselves in the near future
C. Viability of weather manipulation may be exaggerated to 15% when in reality, it is much less
D. Using advanced technologies to change nature’s rhythm and balance is playing God