Essay Example on Cloud Seeding: Successful Weather Modification Techniques?

Introduction

Cloud seeding refers to the weather modification techniques used to cause rain to fall. Cloud seeding is done by spraying hygroscopic flares with particles of silver iodide on the Cumulus clouds. The silver iodide increases the precipitations which cause rain. In places such as the UAE where droughts are common, cloud seeding has been used successfully to increase the amount of rain in the areas. However, despite the success, technologies are yet to be developed to measure the precise outcome of cloud seeding. Currently, it is estimated that cloud seeding contributes to between 30-35% precipitation increase (Zaman, 2019). By examining the impact of cloud seeding, the researcher argues that cloud seeding is the most effective solution to the food insecurity associated with draughts caused by climate change.

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Cloud Seeding Enhances Rain

Cloud seeding enhances rain production. According to Zaman (2019), since 2015, the amount of financial provision for rain enhancement has increased. For example, the UAE contributed $15milion for the cloud seeding projects after confirming the impact of cloud seeding. Such considerable investments in advancing rain science and developing cloud seeding materials are targeted which means that the UAE has considerable confidence in the cloud seeding effectiveness. According to Zaman (2019), salts particles are moisture absorbent thereby increasing the size of the droplets. As the particles cooled together, bigger and heavier droplets fall in the form of rain.

Mitigating Climate Change

Cloud seeding does not only contribute to rain formation but also helps in mitigating climate change. Without cloud seeding, the climate and temperature in the drought-prone areas can make those places inhabitable (Godinez, 2018). Climate seeding helps in mitigating climate change, improving understanding the rain science and manipulating climate.

Sustainable Development

Cloud seeding helps in rain enhancement and this is the only way that development in the region can be sustained. With an adequate and constant supply of rain food, life and infrastructural development in the region are guaranteed. The UAE was one of the driest regions in the world. With the cloud seeding, groundwater levels are recharged (Godinez, 2018). With the increase in the aquifer, the country gets a sustainable water supply. Cloud seeding is also much safer and less environmentally damaging compared to desalination.

More Option for Rain Making

Cloud seeding does not rely on only one way. Several approaches can be adopted to increase cloud precipitation past from using the silver iodide. While the static cloud seeding is capital and resource-intensive, dynamic cloud seeding is less expensive as the goals are to enhance vertical air currents (Rinkesh, 2020). which is important in producing clouds. Hygroscopic cloud seeding has also been explored as another effective approach as the main chemical introduced into the cloud is only the salts. Salt is readily available and is less harmful than the other alternative chemical compounds used in cloud seeding. Therefore, the cloud seeding mechanism provides several alternative approaches that can be used depending on the availability of materials the preferences of the cloud seeders.

Disadvantages of Cloud Seeding

Even though Cloud seeding has a lot of benefits that far outweigh the disadvantages, it is important to note that cloud seeding is not perfecting. Cloud seeding uses silver iodide which is a harmful chemical that has a damaging effect on the natural environment, plants, and soil. Plants depend on soil and water. Using silver iodide for cloud seeding contaminates the rainwater that produces food (Rinkesh, 2020). Additionally, silver iodide has a detrimental impact on the human being and has been associated with skin rashes, headaches as well as running noses. Cloud seeding is not foolproof. Spraying the chemical into the cloud is not the only factor in cloud seeding which means that the are other contributing factors for cloud seedings that cause precipitation. For example, cloud seeding required good wind, and cloud quality. The other factors that play a central role in rain formation. This means that they are chances that cloud seeding may not be the cause of rain (Rinkesh, 2020).

Cloud seeding has other unknown consequences. Cloud seeding interferences with the normal trajectory of natural processes. Every action has consequences. As such, it is important to determine intense cloud seeding would impact the climatic and weather patterns (Sebugwaawo, 2020).

Recommendations

With the continuous exposure to cloud seeding, there are unknown unintended consequences that the government should be aware of.

The low rainfall situation in the UAE can be improved if the cloud seeding project's funding is increased. Other investment should be in terms of the fund, advanced tools, access to the radar data as well as aircraft and new sociologies that could contribute to effective cloud seeding

Conclusion

Cloud seeding has a lot of benefits including suitable and reliable rainfall patterns throughout the year the support farming, infrastructure development, and food security. Cloud seeding has other potential benefits such as economic growth from agriculture, improve living standards, and making the drought-prone areas habitable. With the harsh climate in the UAE and other drought-prone areas, cloud seeding provided and leeway for the drought-prone areas to have a cool climate, reduce pollution, and cloud cover by evaporating fog. While cloud seeding has its cons, its advantages make a strong business case for continuous investment in cloud seeding.

References

Godinez, F. (2018). What is cloud seeding and how is it being used in the UAE? - Abu Dhabi World Online. Abu Dhabi World Online. Retrieved 13 April 2020, from http://www.adwonline.ae/cloud-seeding-used-uae/.

Rinkesh, S. (2020). Various Pros and Cons of Cloud Seeding - Conserve Energy Future. Conserve Energy Future. Retrieved 13 April 2020, from https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-cons-of-cloud-seeding.php.

Sebugwaawo, I. (2020). Cloud seeding in UAE improves weather in the region, too: Expert. Khaleej Times. Retrieved 13 April 2020, from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/weather/cloud-seeding-in-uae-improves-weather-in-region-too-expert-

Zaman, S. (2019). Revealed: How much rain fell due to cloud seeding in UAE?. Gulfnews.com. Retrieved 13 April 2020, from https://gulfnews.com/uae/environment/revealed-how-much-rain-fell-due-to-cloud-seeding-in-uae-1.69106071.