What is the method of artificial cloud seeding?

What is the artificial rain seeding method?

We all know that large areas of the world are experiencing long periods of drought, in addition to a number of problems related to water resources, which are represented by the scarcity of groundwater and rainwater. This raises an interesting question: How can we find water resources? The answer lies in an innovative method called artificial cloud seeding. Therefore, in this article, we will shed light on how artificial clouding occurs, and we will discuss its role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What is cloud seeding,And how does it happen?

In fact, artificial cloud seeding is used to increase the amount of rain and induce it to fall. So it can be used for various other purposes, such as increasing water sources, improving agricultural irrigation, and other purposes and benefits.

Artificial cloud seeding is a process in which scientists release carbon dioxide – along with other substances – into the atmosphere using jet aircraft, or through ground generators, or through rockets. Thus, the clouds are polluted with carbon dioxide particles, in addition to dry ice, “silver iodide”, calcium chloride, and other materials.

The introduction of a substance such as silver iodide – which has a crystalline form like ice – works to stimulate the target air mass, and this is in the presence of special torches installed on the wings of the aircraft, and when the ice particles gather inside the clouds that scientists target – very cold clouds, saturated with water vapor – they become heavy enough to fall in the form of rain.

Benefits of cloud seeding

We briefly mentioned before that artificial rain seeding has many benefits, and the most prominent of these benefits is: forcing the clouds to empty their water, and this water is an important resource for agriculture in dry places and places suffering from desertification, and this water is also useful in supporting water supplies for many aspects of human life.

These benefits are – of course – in favor of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the thirteenth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): climate action. If the matter is related to agriculture and providing the necessary water for it, then we can say that artificial cloud seeding – as a promising technology – is a step towards achieving the ninth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): industry, innovation and infrastructure.

Disadvantages of artificial cloud seeding

Despite its advantages, which are one of the solutions with which we can confront the problems of climate change and its severe effects on the environment and the economy, its use includes consequences whose consequences have not yet been calculated. Artificial cloud seeding is an uncontrolled process, meaning its results cannot be fully predicted, especially with regard to modifying weather patterns and the potential effects over neighboring areas, which is depriving such areas of rain.

There are also discussions between scientists and those involved in artificial cloud seeding technology about the danger of the materials used to stimulate clouds, and the extent of their impact on the environment and humans. These negatives are still under discussion, and require further research.

Future Challenges

There is no doubt that artificial cloud seeding is a promising technology if it is exploited well, but there are many challenges, the most important of which is financing. Because it is an expensive technology in relation to natural water resources, as well as a technology that requires scientific research to explore it and consider developing it. In order to allow countries to avoid the dangers that such technology could produce; Because it is important that we work to provide a scientific basis to estimate the magnitude of the effects and results, both positive and negative.

For these challenges, the Arab region is taking effective steps towards finding solutions to them. Many Arab countries began using artificial cloud seeding years ago, led by the UAE, which established its own program specialized in this technology: the Emirates Research Program for Rain Enhancement Sciences.

From this standpoint,Earth Guards Magazine hopes that this technology will help all countries of the world overcome the plight of climate change, and that it will be a sustainable technology without causing any harm to the environment. So that we can be partners in a sustainable world together.