Weather Modification and Geoengineering

Water Sustainability CommitteeWeather Modification and

Geoengineering

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Weather Modification Definedand Techniques

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Weather ModificationActivities in Canada

• Variety of experimental programs since 1948• Calgary based hail mitigation program• BC Hydro snowpack augmentation study

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Geoengineering Defined and Techniques

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Geoengineering Techniques Cont.

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SolarRadiation

Management

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Patents

• Over 150 Patents registered with US PatentOffice for weather modification andGeoengineering

• Patents range from weather modification tofull scale geoengineering

• Patents are range in complexity• US Patent 5003186 Stratospheric Welsbach

seeding for reduction of global warmingnotes a simple approach

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Activities in Canada

Haida Gwaii Iron Ocean Fertilization - Goddard Earth SciencesData and Information Services Center/NASA

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International Activities

• More than 30 countries practice weathermodification

• China has largest national weatherengineering program

• Projects vary in scope and scale• Projects occur in international territory• Weather modification for war is banned

internationally

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Canadian Policy and Regulation

• Federal: Weather Modification InformationAct R.S.C., 1985, c. W-5

• Federal: Weather Modification InformationRegulations C.R.C., c. 1604

• BC: Weather Modification Act [RSBC 1996]CHAPTER 486 [Repealed by the Water, Landand Air Protection Statutes Amendment Act,2003,SBC2003, c. 90, s. 21, effectiveNovember 20, 2003 (Royal Assent).]

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International Policy and Regulation• No International policy or regulation on

weather modification (more than 30countries actively modifying weather)

• International push for global governance ongeoengineering through the United Nations

• Open discussion by UK Parliament ScienceCommittee on urgent need for internationalRegulation – Link to report

• http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmsctech/221/221.pdf

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International Governance Direction123. We are clear that serious consideration for the

regulatory arrangements for geoengineering needs tostart now, not once highly disruptive climate change isunderway. If we start now it will provide the opportunity“to explore the technological, environmental, political andregulatory issues in a measured, science-led process”. TheUN is the route by which eventually we envisage theregulatory framework operating but first the UK and othergovernments need to prime the UN pump. As Mr Virgoepointed out, such “an approach would encourageenhanced awareness of the options and help ensure that, ifand when a crisis arrives, there is a reasonable chance ofgetting multilateral agreement to a geoengineeringdeployment through the UN.

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Advantages and Justifications

• Increases resilience• CO2 reductions and lower temperatures• Cost effective• Politically expedient• Buys time

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Disadvantages and Criticisms

• Moral hazard• Addresses symptom not the cause• Known and unknown consequences

– Hydrology– Ocean acidity– Ozone depletion

• Path dependency• Cost uncertainties• Militarization• Health and environmental issues

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The Panic Button

Tracking Methane From the Arctic OceanA new airborne study with NASA contributions measured surprising levels of the potentgreenhouse gas methane coming from cracks in Arctic sea ice and areas of partial sea icecover. This image was taken over the Arctic Ocean at a latitude of approximately 71degrees North on April 15, 2010.

Image credit: NASA/JPL

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AMEG Report to UK

• Therefore we consider our present situation isextremely dangerous and warrants the designationof "planetary emergency" We see only one way toavoid passing this point of no return, which is tointervene by cooling the Arctic, principally by usinggeoengineering techniques starting immediately.

• Report link:• http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201

213/cmselect/cmenvaud/writev/171/171.pdf

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Indicators of Potential Impacts ofSolar Radiation Management

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Aerosols

NASA Persistent Contrails

NASA Persistent Ship Trails

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Global Dimming

• 2005 documentary by BBC• Global pan evaporation decline• 911 study of temperature delta during plane

grounding• Persistent contrails major contributor• Indicator of potential impacts of SRM• Indicator of potential impacts of reducing

emissions

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Questions?

“We can't solve problems by using the samekind of thinking we used when we createdthem.” Albert Einstein