Scientists can make it rain in the Abu Dhabi desert

[drip~drop]

The desert is a desert for a reason.

I don't know the reason, just that it is.

For all answers, please see Mother Nature.

 

[Sooner Fan#1]

The desert is a desert for a reason.

I don't know the reason, just that it is.

For all answers, please see Mother Nature.

This is a tough one....if we hadn't messed with the weather, we wouldn't be able to predict tornadoes and hurricanes, that warnings save many, many lives...

 

[Kimberlyd125]

IMO using information to predict weather and actually changing weather patterns is not the same. When they predict what will happen, they are not changing anything. They are just observing what is already happening.

 

[Nova]

While I agree our climate and environment are affected by a lot of things, to me that is much different than changing weather patterns in a certain part of the world intentionally in an attempt to perfect God's work. It does not rain much in the dessert. IMO God must have good reason for that.

BIG difference to me and my opinion.

Fair enough. But the opposite view is that at least here scientists are intentionally altering the weather and might be expected to monitor the results. Most of our impacts on weather have been unintentional and unrecognized until the change was made (or "the damage was done", depending on your view).

And I didn't even mention nuclear explosions!

 

[Nova]

The desert is a desert for a reason.

I don't know the reason, just that it is.

For all answers, please see Mother Nature.

The reason is that rain doesn't fall there.

But deserts weren't always deserts. The areas of the Sahara (North Africa) and Negev (Middle East) Deserts were once grasslands that supported all sorts of wildlife. (This is partly why the Bible is full of stories of lions and other animals that no longer live in Palestine.)

Those Deserts may have arisen mostly from climate change, but most scientists think human overgrazing and over-farming were also causes, at least in some areas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation#Historical_causes



The desert where I live was created before the arrival of humans IIRC, but that doesn't mean it was always desert nor that it will always be desert in the future.

 

[animlzrule]

If used responsibly, this technology could be life saving for millions. Let's hope it's used to truly benefit the lives of others, vs. to line someone's pockets. Mankind has already irrevocably messed with mother nature to the detriment of us all. (Heard today that 2010 was hottest on record) Ok, now fighting against cynicism.....

 

[Kimberlyd125]

But, the longterm outcome of changing a weather pattern could kill millions more. We just don't know how this will affect the planet in the long run.

IMO changing weather patterns will not only help that area, it will change every other weather pattern. Weather is not just local, it's all connected. IMO you change it one area, all the other areas (the whole planet) will change.

Like other posters have stated, the desert is the desert for a reason.

JMO

 

[Kat]

I can't find how much rain they were able to produce?

That's fairly important IMHO. Was it just enough precipitation to qualify as being measured as rainfall?

Still dont' know what to make of it, the article is so vague. I'm also too beat tonight to try to google for more info

 

[Nova]

It is my opinion that we should do all we can to help people who are sick and in need. But, we are talking about messing with WEATHER. Maybe many do not see the difference, but I think it is much different.
To find medications that are natural, or using the Earth's resources to make man made medications is much different to me than a making it rain more in climates that don't see much rain.

I understand if you don't see it that way, but I do.

ETA: There is a TON of land on our Earth that gets rain naturally.

True, but the rain doesn't necessarily fall where the people who need it are located.

If it violates "God's plan" to make it rain, is it a violation to move millions of people to where the rain falls?

How about the Southwestern U.S., where we move water for thousands of miles from where the rivers flow to the coasts and other areas where most people live?

And WHAT is the difference between interfering in biology and interfering in weather? You've said several times that it is your opinion they are different.

Why?

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Nova: I've given several reasons in my posts on this thread. It's how I feel. It's my opinion. It's what I believe with my brain and my heart. I do not think we should be messing with weather patterns. I see it as trying to "tweek" God's work.
We will not agree on this.

I just don't believe in messing with what God created. Like you said, it only rains there sometimes because that is the climate.
When PEOPLE start trying to "perfect" God's work, I think we are in trouble.

JMO

While I agree our climate and environment are affected by a lot of things, to me that is much different than changing weather patterns in a certain part of the world intentionally in an attempt to perfect God's work. It does not rain much in the dessert. IMO God must have good reason for that.

BIG difference to me and my opinion.

It is my opinion that we should do all we can to help people who are sick and in need. But, we are talking about messing with WEATHER. Maybe many do not see the difference, but I think it is much different.
To find medications that are natural, or using the Earth's resources to make man made medications is much different to me than a making it rain more in climates that don't see much rain.

I understand if you don't see it that way, but I do.

ETA: There is a TON of land on our Earth that gets rain naturally.

But, the longterm outcome of changing a weather pattern could kill millions more. We just don't know how this will affect the planet in the long run.

IMO changing weather patterns will not only help that area, it will change every other weather pattern. Weather is not just local, it's all connected. IMO you change it one area, all the other areas (the whole planet) will change.

Like other posters have stated, the desert is the desert for a reason.

JMO

 

[Nova]

Kimberly, the only explanation given in those several posts is found in the last one: that changing weather one place may have unforeseen consequences elsewhere. Many of us have expressed that concern, but let's be clear: the same is true of every possible human action. (Greek tragedy was based entirely on the idea that good intentions may bring unintended suffering.)

The Colorado River no longer reaches the sea most of the time because its water is drained off to support cities in California, Nevada and Arizona. Because of aqueducts, those cities support larger populations and put out more smog, contributing to global warming.

Dams may provide electricity and water for irrigation, but they also drown areas upstream of the dam. (And they wreck all sorts of havoc on the rare occasions when they burst.)

The science of biology and its antibiotics and immunizations have given us much longer life spans, but also overpopulation.

I don't see how one can sit AT A COMPUTER and type "we mustn't mess with God's creation" and I'd like to understand the reasoning.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Kimberly, the only explanation given in those several posts is found in the last one: that changing weather one place may have unforeseen consequences elsewhere. Many of us have expressed that concern, but let's be clear: the same is true of every possible human action. (Greek tragedy was based entirely on the idea that good intentions may bring unintended suffering.)

The Colorado River no longer reaches the sea most of the time because its water is drained off to support cities in California, Nevada and Arizona. Because of aqueducts, those cities support larger populations and put out more smog, contributing to global warming.

Dams may provide electricity and water for irrigation, but they also drown areas upstream of the dam. (And they wreck all sorts of havoc on the rare occasions when they burst.)

The science of biology and its antibiotics and immunizations have given us much longer life spans, but also overpopulation.

I don't see how one can sit AT A COMPUTER and type "we mustn't mess with God's creation" and I'd like to understand the reasoning.

Sorry my reasons are not good enough for you Nova. As I sit AT MY COMPUTER, I stand behind my statement "I do not think we should be messing with God's work."

AGAIN, it's how I feel. It's my opinion. It's based on my beliefs and faith.
I don't expect someone who does not share my beliefs and faith to get it.

That's why I said, we will never agree.

 

[Nova]

Sorry my reasons are not good enough for you Nova. As I sit AT MY COMPUTER, I stand behind my statement "I do not think we should be messing with God's work."

AGAIN, it's how I feel. It's my opinion. It's based on my beliefs and faith.
I don't expect someone who does not share my beliefs and faith to get it.

That's why I said, we will never agree.

It isn't that your reasons aren't "good enough" for me, it's that, with the one exception I noted (and share), I can't find any other reasons in your post. Repeating the phrase "I don't think we should be messing with God's work" tells me nothing of WHY you think weather is where the line should be drawn.

If you are saying this is an arbitrary notion or just a gut feeling, so be it. You are entitled to those, as are we all.

If this is a rational conclusion based on your theological beliefs, I'd like to understand it.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

It isn't that your reasons aren't "good enough" for me, it's that, with the one exception I noted (and share), I can't find any other reasons in your post. Repeating the phrase "I don't think we should be messing with God's work" tells me nothing of WHY you think weather is where the line should be drawn.

If you are saying this is an arbitrary notion or just a gut feeling, so be it. You are entitled to those, as are we all.

If this is a rational conclusion based on your theological beliefs, I'd like to understand it.

Nova, I really don't know what else to say. I've said how I feel over and over. You don't agree or understand, so be it. I just don't know how else to say it.
Maybe we should move on???

I'm really not sure why how I feel about this is so important that you can't let it go.

 

[Nova]

Nova, I really don't know what else to say. I've said how I feel over and over. You don't agree or understand, so be it. I just don't know how else to say it.
Maybe we should move on???

I'm really not sure why how I feel about this is so important that you can't let it go.

The reason I don't just "let things go" sometimes is that I think you're very bright and I am always interested in how you come to your conclusions.

As I said, my first reaction was the same as yours: I share your skepticism that we understand weather well enough to "tinker" with it. But then I thought of all the ways we already interfere with weather and realized that line had already been crossed many times. So I wondered why rain in Abu Dhabi should be different.

But if you've said your piece, so be it.