Economics of Weather Modification: A Review

Sonka, Steven T.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/77799 Copy

Description

Title

Economics of Weather Modification: A Review

Author(s)

Sonka, Steven T.

Issue Date

1979

Keyword(s)

• Cloud seeding
• cost-benefit analysis
• economic impacts
• fog dispersal
• hail suppression
• hurricane suppression
• lightning suppression
• precipitation augmentation
• snowpack enhancement
• weather modification

Abstract

This report first discusses gross benefits and costs of potential weather modification activities and the elements vital to a credible economic analysis of such activities. It then reviews and evaluates more than 60 existing studies relating to the economic impacts of five major modification activities: precipitation augmentation including snowpack enhancement, hail suppression, hurricane suppression, fog dispersal, and lightning suppression. Because weather can have severe adverse effects on economic activity, gross benefits of modification appear very high in relation to most operational costs. However, indirect costs may be great and, in general, those adversely affected are not the same individuals enjoying the gross benefits. A credible economic analysis of net bcnefits of weather modification requires consulting with atmospheric scientists to assure understanding of the physical factors involved, funding for a considerable amount of data gathering, considering effects of possible future changes in crucial factors, and orienting the analytical viewpoint to both negative and positive regional impacts. Most of the existing literature relating to the economics of weather modification addresses precipitation augmentation and hail suppression; very few attempts toward comprehensive economic analyses have been made. More is known about the economic impacts of weather on agriculture than for any other activity area.

Publisher

Illinois State Water Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

Report of Investigation (Illinois State Water Survey) RI-089

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/77799

Copyright and License Information

Copyright, University of Illinois Board of Trustees. All rights reserved. This document is a product of the Illinois State Water Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois State Water Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended for research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

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