Social Aspects of Weather Modification

Abstract

A description of the social context and citizen response to three weather modification projects provides an introduction to the discussion of a variety of social and economic issues related to planned weather modification. Various interest groups have markedly different perspectives on weather modification. Most persons subject to the consequences of weather modification have no opportunity to participate in the associated decision process even though they believe they have a right to do so. Factors possibly associated with conflict over weather modification are considered. 1 Presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science session on "Changing the Weather,"

Using Twentieth-Century U.S. Weather Modification Policy to Gain Insight into Global Climate Remediation Governance Issues

“…In the case of weather modification, public input might have benefitted the federal weather modification program; however, fear of negative public reaction on the part of decision makers (Haas 1973) likely reduced communication efforts and broad sharing of weather modification information.…”

“…Since the 1960s, hundreds of weather modification projects have been carried out in the United States, and regionally or state funded operational projects continue today (Travis 2010). For the vast majority of the federally funded projects occurring between 1947 and 1980, no resistance developed to weather modification (Haas 1973;Travis 2010). In fact, evidence shows the public was largely supportive of or ambivalent about use of weather modification until Operation Popeye (Haas 1973;Farhar 1974; U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oceans and International Environment 1974;UN 1976;Changnon et al 1978: Lambright andChangnon 1989;Travis 2010).…”

“…For the vast majority of the federally funded projects occurring between 1947 and 1980, no resistance developed to weather modification (Haas 1973;Travis 2010). In fact, evidence shows the public was largely supportive of or ambivalent about use of weather modification until Operation Popeye (Haas 1973;Farhar 1974; U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oceans and International Environment 1974;UN 1976;Changnon et al 1978: Lambright andChangnon 1989;Travis 2010). This relative lack of concern may have resulted because of the limited temporal and geographic scales of weather modification efforts before that time and perhaps indicates a level of confidence in the program's scientific and technological capabilities.…”

“…In terms of public perception of weather modification, Haas (1973) studied the context and public response to three weather modification projects. He found that those paying for weather modification efforts through their taxes but receiving no direct benefit often favored weather modification, seeing it as a worthwhile risk even while expressing some misgiving relating to pitting human powers against nature (Davis 1974).…”

“…That said, Haas also found that, where concerns existed, groups expressing opposition were generally more powerful in terms of political influence. Not surprisingly, this proved especially true for publicly funded projects, which often involved an economic interest and larger-sized groups (Haas 1973).…”