"Clouds over troubled waters" by The Staff of The Economist, September 22nd 2012, The Economist
Hurricanes generate powerful winds and heavy rain fall that can cause a lot of damage. Most parts of the world have oceans with surfaces not warm enough for hurricanes to form. Some times this is because sunlight is reflected by low clouds. About 30% of the oceans have clouds that do this. Dr.Gadian in Atmospheric Science Letters, wonders what would happen to hurricanes if the clouds were made more reflective in areas where they originate. This should be possible by increasing the water in clouds through a possess called seeding. Instead of using chemicals as "seeds" (like silver iodine or dry ice) the research preposes spraying sea water from unmanned, wind powered, satellite controlled vassels that would cruise in these spots. They estimated that 2000 ships would be needed but fewer might be usable because these are really needed in only a small number of places. The simulation showed that those could be enough to stop that storms from getting worse if the carbon dioxide levels and ocean temperatures continue to rise. The Economist article pointed out " ... [I]t gives pause for thought about the extent to which people might influence the climate with a specific end in view."
In Biology class heavy rains were talked about with providing habitats but this article talks about how rain isn't always so good. Hurricanes like Katrina show that it too much of a good thing can the harmful. The idea that we can change something as huge as the weather is amazing to me. Before I found this article I thought that weather was just the weather and as human beings, we could do nothing to change it. I was proven very wrong. This opened my eyes to the possibilities of what we might later be able to do if we can, right now, truly change a force so great. Scientists doing research to effect hurricanes just pushed my awe farther. I had no idea that scientists were working on geoengineering that has the possibility of making a major change in the lives of many people.
Erica,
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting post. As humans we assume we have no control over Mother Nature. It is amazing that hard working scientists can do this. I think Bill Gates was attempting to do this. There was also another man that claimed hurricanes if contained can produce a waste product of gold! Imagine if that were true, if it was it could be a major economy boost to the area effected. If they had hurricanes near Africa, they could trade with other nations for neccessary resources like food, water, and mosquito nets. Good Job Erica!