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Should We Change the Weather Even If We Can?
jonerik writes "According to this article in today's Christian Science Monitor, science will be able to make significant changes in weather systems in the next few decades. More than simply seeding clouds to produce rain, the technology will be available to nudge hurricanes out of the path of population centers, for instance. The big question is 'Should we?' 'Even if we can do this, is this something we really want to do?,' says Dr. Ross Hoffman, a vice president with Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc., who adds, 'Before we can really control weather, we have to be able to observe the weather and forecast the weather much better than we do now.' On the other hand, according to the article the genie may already be out of the bottle: 'According to the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO), at least 25 countries are engaged in weather modification projects to enhance rain and snowfall, or suppress hail. In the United States, 12 states have had weather modification programs. Texas runs a program at the county level for rain enhancement, while North Dakota is focusing on hail suppression.'"
"I doubt the people who stand to profit from weather modification will willingly wait one year let alone decades."
"As usual the extent of peoples concern for the rest of mankind and the future is but a shadow of their love of money."
I like how you assume that the profit made is solely monetary, let alone that the only profiteers are faceless, souless corporations (yadda yadda yadda).
I as a member from the general public would "profit" greatly from, say, not having to worry about category 5 hurricanes bearing down on my ass and flooding me out of my home (if not outright killing me). The same goes for tornadoes, lightning storms, hailstorms, blizzards...
But if the first and only thing you're able to think about is money, you should be worrying about yourself instead of those "evil corporations" you resemble so well.