This is a topic made famous years ago during the time of pulp science fiction and it seems with each year it becomes more of a reality. To me it is a scary idea especially in this day and age with all the rage, distrust in the world and discontent between countries.
It is my belief we should leave nature alone – it has (pretty much) done well enough on its own. Our footprint here on earth can be changed by lifestyle adjustments rather than manually trying to adjust our climate by quick fixes which could get out of hand.
For snow lovers it may be time to put out snow making machines in your yards during the cold nights rather than seeding the clouds which would effect all of your neighbors who may not care for the snow so much.
Below is an article from The Conversation news site in regards to weather hacking.
Some people might argue that the greatest moral challenge of our time is serious enough to justify deliberately tampering with our climate to stave off the damaging effects of global warming.Geoengineering, or “climate hacking”, to use its more emotive nickname, is a direct intervention in the natural environments of our planet, including our atmosphere, seas and oceans.It has been suggested that geoengineering might buy us time to prevent warming above 2C, and that we should look at it seriously in case everything goes pear-shaped with our climate.There are two problems with this argument. The first is that we already have an affordable solution with a relatively well-understood outcome: reducing our carbon emissions.The second is that geoengineering itself is fraught with danger and that, worryingly, the most dangerous version, called solar radiation management, is also the most popular with those exploring this field.
Down in flames
In essence, solar radiation management is about mimicking volcanoes. Climate scientists have known for years that major volcanic eruptions can eject so much ash into the high atmosphere that they effectively dim the sun.The tiny ash particles block the sunlight, reducing the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth’s surface. A major volcanic eruption like that of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 can cause worldwide cooling of about 0.1C for about two or three years.As global temperatures will rise in the business-as-usual scenario, leading to a projected increase of almost 4C in the coming century, the ash of a few volcanic eruptions each year could theoretically offset the temperature rise due to the burning of fossil fuels.Science has also taught us that depositing the ash, or something similar, into the high atmosphere is not very difficult. Some studies show that by using balloons, it could cost as little as a few billion dollars per year.It certainly sounds like a much cheaper and easier approach than trying to negotiate a worldwide treaty to cut carbon emissions from nations across the globe.Unlike global emissions cuts, geoengineering has the potential to be financed and implemented by a single wealthy individual, and can arguably be accomplished with a lot less effort.
Major problems
If it is so easy, why aren’t we already pumping ash into the sky to dim the Sun? Perhaps predictably, it’s because this climate solution is likely to create new problems of its own.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has completely rejected solar radiation management – not because it is too hard, but because there is no guarantee that the consequences will be benign.There are three major problems that make this form of geoengineering so dangerous that, hopefully, it will never be used.First, it does not address the root cause of climate change. It only addresses one of the symptoms: global warming, while failing to deal with related issues such as ocean acidification. This is because our carbon dioxide emissions will continue to build up in the atmosphere and dissolve in the oceans, making seawater more acidic and making it harder for species like corals and oysters to form their skeletons.The second problem is also related to the continued build-up of atmospheric carbon dioxide. If, at some point in the future, we stop pumping ash into the skies, the ash will rapidly wash out from the atmosphere in a few years. Yet with atmospheric carbon dioxide levels even higher than before, Earth will experience rapid “catch-up” warming. According to the IPCC, this could be as much as 2C per decade – roughly 10 times the current rate. This would be very troubling, given that many species, including in places such as Sydney, are already struggling to adapt to the current pace of change.Third, pumping dust into our skies will almost certainly change the weather. In particular, it is likely to alter the amount of rainfall from country to country. Some will become drier, others wetter, with a range of grave impacts on many types of agriculture. It is not yet clear how individual countries will be affected, but we know that unpredictable water and food supplies can provoke regional conflict and even war.
Safeguarding the future
The precautionary principle has been embedded into national environmental laws and some international agreements (such as Article 3 (3) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change). While this principle impels countries to act to stave off climate harm, it would also arguably require geoengineering proposals to be scrutinised with care.It is difficult to design cautious policies, or even draw up regulations, on issues like geoengineering, where the outcome can at best only be partly predictable. Policies and regulations should be designed to have an intended and purposeful effect, which geo-engineering at the moment cannot deliver.Some researchers have gone as far as to brand geoengineering immoral, while the concept has also been described as an Earth experiment, in addition to the experiment already being done with greenhouse emissions.The only thing we know for certain is that we need a lot more certainty before deciding to hack our climate.
We have the expectation of some snow this afternoon and again later tonight into Wednesday morning. Altogether one to three inches is a possibility with most falling along the lakeshore counties. The big story is the chance of a winter storm over the weekend. Be wary of snow maps predicting the outcome during the Saturday/Sunday time frame – the passage of the system isn’t engraved in stone yet. Friday we will see rain on the warm side of the system, the main concern is what happens on the back side. Models are swaying between snow, freezing rain and sleet. Heavy wet snow and or freezing rain is a possibility –
From the NWS: Potential exists for heavy QPF amounts with several inches of snow and/or a band of heavy freezing rain/sleet with significant impacts, but difficult at this time to nail down the specifics.
Regarding Saturday, NWS still doesn’t know if it will be rain, ice, or snow. This is from this morning’s discussion:
We`ll be frank–this storm has the potential to bring significant impacts in the form of power outages, dangerous travel conditions, and areal and river flooding to parts of western Lower Michigan. All parties with weekend plans are encouraged to stay up to date on the forecast as confidence increases in where the heaviest precipitation will fall.
Lol!!! Why would I move from here?!?? I’m enjoying this mild snowless winter!!! I’m not the way driving all day to the North to try to find a bit of man made snow!! I’d definitely move if I was doing that every week!
Moderate snow is now falling here. The current temperature is well above freezing at 37.
Slim
As fast as it started the snow has now diminished with just a trace on the ground.
Slim
Lack of winter?…how soon we forget it’s been snowing since Halloween of 2019, snow this week, snow this weekend,…
You got it! The warm weather fanatics are off their rockers again!
I’m heading to Boyne Mountain Sunday can’t wait to see how much snow is on the ground there …INDY
Looks like around 2 to 4 inches on the ground in the Petoskey/Charlevoix area.
https://www.weather.gov/images/apx/SnowAmt/snowdepth.png
Thanks Andy …Ready for a Sprite on top of the mountain Sunday ….INDY
Sounds good to me! Make sure you hit the local watering hole for the NFL Playoffs though!
Not weather related but just what is happening in Puerto Rico? Yet another earthquake today.
Slim
A friend of mine was supposed to fly there this morning for a conference. She cancelled the trip last night after the 5.3 earthquake. Good thing because as you know, there was a 6.4 tremor this morning. Crazy.
Interesting post MV, in fact rather scary thinking about it. Anytime people try to control something it almost always ends up going bad with unforeseen consequences. What’s even worse to think about is someone just doing it for their own gain with no regard for anyone or anything else. Sounds like the making of a sci-fi movie.
I agree that it would be a scary idea. Not saying it would could not happen but I fell there are(will) be other issues that will happen. And not to mention who will pay for it???
Slim
While I am a strong believer that the Earth has(is) becoming warmer. And there is a strong case that man is part if not most of the reasoning for that happing. I would not want to a large amount of “ash” pimped into the atmosphere. I am a firm believer that the time will come that something will happen and at that time things will change. This planet will be here long after man no longer walks the Earth. On a side note not all warming is all bad. Just look at what is happing here this winter. While some may not like it there are many more who do like it sunny and mild in the winter. Heck there are some who would not mind if it was even 10° or even more warmer in the winter. Maybe not so much in the summer time.
Slim
Well put. I guess if I had a vote it would be for 10 degrees warmer in the Winter and 10 degrees cooler in the Summer.
Welcome to day 19 of the above average temperature streak! Through the first 6 days of January, GR is an incredible +10.1 degrees above average after a warm December – all but guaranteeing another warm month. GR is now more than a foot of snow below average on the season.
Here is the latest snow report from Nubs Nob! Please note under the snowmaking line it states “no snowmaking necessary” this despite the lies from mookie and Andy. It always amazes me that people that don’t like winter and that do not have first hand knowledge of the conditions in snow country try and spin and tell me about the conditions up North! Get off your duff and drive up there if want to see the facts for yourselves! Incredible!
https://www.nubsnob.com/conditions-new/
If you recall, we were talking about conditions for the upcoming weekend when they were in the 40’s and making man made snow like crazy. But glad to see they FINALLY received a few inches of snow late Sunday to cover that man made snow base LOL
You are wrong as usual.
I was at Nubs all weekend and no snowmaking was needed and the conditions were near perfect! Get your facts straight! Incredible!
While we here in southern Michigan have had little snow fall this winter season as Rocky has pointed out that has not been the case in northern Michigan and the UP
https://www.weather.gov/apx/snow
So while the temperatures even up there have been well above average the snow fall has been near average so far.
Slim
I see 5 out 7 locations reporting seasonal below average snow with extremely little snow depth outside of Gaylord.
Get off your duff drive up to the ski resorts! I am giving you eye witness accounts and you are spewing Bs! Sounds like apolitical I know! You are hopeless!
Nope. Just the facts.
https://www.weather.gov/apx/snow
Pelosi?
Delusional Donald!
For those of you constantly fantasizing about a warm snowless winter you about to be snapped back into reality! You heard it here first! Either get prepared now or move to another climate or hibernate for the next 3 months!
What? Possible snowstorm? Who would have thought?