In recent years, weather modification has been an area of interest for many countries across the globe, with China leading the charge. From 2002 to 2012, China conducted over half a million weather-modification operations. In 2020, plans were announced to further expand this program, aiming to generate artificial rain or snowfall over an area more than 1.5 times the total size of India. This article delves into weather modification, its potential ethical issues, and impacts on the environment and geopolitics.
Understanding Weather Modification
Weather modification, also known as weather control or geoengineering, is the intentional manipulation or alteration of weather patterns. The most common form of this practice is cloud seeding, which aims to increase rainfall or snowfall, primarily to enhance local water supplies. Beyond this, weather modification can be utilized to prevent damaging weather, such as hail storms or hurricanes, or induced for military or economic warfare.
Ethical Concerns Surrounding Weather Modification
The use of weather modification brings forth several ethical issues. One instance is the ‘tragedy of the commons’, where individuals acting in their own self-interest collectively deplete a commonly owned resource. China’s initiative serves as a potential example of this issue on a global scale. There are also concerns about skewed vulnerabilities, with countries not partaking in weather modifications potentially facing severe unfairness, casting shadows over environmental justice. Furthermore, a branch of ethics known as intergenerational ethics questions whether current humanity has a moral obligation to strive for environmental sustainability for the benefit of future generations.
The Impacts of Weather Modification
Weather modifications can lead to disruptions of natural weather patterns, including Asian monsoons, which can result in droughts, particularly in Africa, endangering food and water sources for two billion people. Excessive snow produced from cloud seeding can trigger human-induced disasters. There are also conflicts of interest, as technological modernization, often seen as an environmental solution, can lead to man-made disasters in the absence of data.
What is Geoengineering?
Geoengineering refers to a deliberate, large-scale intervention in Earth’s natural systems to reverse the impacts of climate change. Techniques primarily fall under three categories: Solar Radiation Management (SRM), Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Weather Modification.
The Way Forward
The international implications of weather modification suggest the need for an international governing body. With weather modification occurring in the air without boundaries, it undeniably impacts international politics. Further research is essential for precision and ethical issues, including social consequences, require more discussion. A deeper understanding of Earth system force or geophysical politics is needed, acknowledging its potential role in international affairs.
