Hugh, Lloyd and Gil - let's hear about your rainmaking magic. First questions, what size geographical area do your methods affect, how do you ensure that it will rain where and when you want it to do so, what are the long term impacts on the weather, and how can you be sure that there is no negative environmental impact?
The authorities in the Lowveld area of South Africa entered into a large project of cloud seeding from small jets in the late 1970's and early 80's, with very little beneficial effect. One of their biggest problems was not being able to manipulate the clouds so that it rained where they wanted it. There have also been long term negative environmental affects, which together with heavy atmospheric pollution from coal fired power stations, has had a detrimental impact on the weather patterns. The role of the cloud seeding in these changes is obviously difficult to quantify, but is always mentioned as a factor. There was a time when farmers used to fire silver nitrate rockets into the clouds, but also with the effect of causing precipitation on neighbours' properties and not their own. Haven't heard of that for many years. On the other hand, I have visited a farmer in the dry, rocky Karoo, an arid / desert area in South Africa, who was convinced that the planting of 5 Ha of olive trees, wind breaks and a small dam have had a positive impact on the rainfall patterns and volumes in a short three year period, using Bill Mollison's arguments! I may be foolish, but I was sceptical of that one. So, it will be very interesting to hear about your methods and the results thereof. It appears that you work with different energies (and not silver nitrate), so it is reasonable to anticipate different results. Stephen Barrow
