The American startup Rainmakerspecializing in Cloud sowbecame the center of an intense wave of Theories of conspiracy On social media after the devastating floods that affected Texas in the United States. The tragedy, which left more than 100 dead and dozens of missing, coincided with a climate modification operation made days before in the region, feeding speculations on a possible relationship between events.
In the Washington Post report, the company’s founder, Augustus Doricko, reports that he was facing an avalanche of online accusations, driven by Public figures, influencers and politicians. Among the names is Ms. Marjorie Taylor Greene and her Donald Trump Adviser Michael Flynn, who publicly suggested that start -up technology may have contributed to the climate disaster.
How the sowing of the cloud works
- The technique known as Cloud sowOr the sowing of clouds is to disperse particles (usually silver iodide) in the clouds to stimulate precipitation.
- It is mainly used in regions with long periods of drought, such as parts of the west of the United States, and still has Limited and localized effectsAccording to atmospheric scientists.
- Doricko claims that on July 2, his company carried out an operation contracted by South Texas Weather Modification Association, which launched about 70 grams of silver iodide over the city of Runge, more than 160 kilometers from the area affected by rain.
- The mission lasted about 20 minutes and gave rise to a slight drop, insufficient for any durable impact.
- The next day, when detecting a storm front, the company suspended new activities in the region.
- Experts such as Bob Rauber, Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at Illinois University, said that There is no way of operations of such a great storm.
- “The amount of energy needed to form a storm like this is astronomical,” Raberr told Washington Post.
The role of social media in the theories propagation
Despite the scientific evidence, Conspiracy theories propagate quickly on digital platforms. Publications in the X (former Twitter) required “responsibility” of beginning and shared documents on their license to make climate change in Texas. One of the most widespread videos showed an interview with Doricko interspersed with images of destruction, accompanied by the dramatic soundtrack.
Member Marjorie Taylor Greene even announced a bill to try to change the weather for a federal crime. The site had more than 18 million views.
Doricko, in turn, participated in live talks to clarify the company’s performance and counteract improper exhibition attempts, such as publications that published the address of his headquarters, then eliminated by the network.
Ancient controversy and increased investment
Although the sowing of the cloud goes back to military experiments in the 1940’s, Interest in technique has grown in recent years Due to climate change and water shortage. Countries like China, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have already invested millions in climate modification programs. In the United States, states like Utah maintain the annual budgets dedicated to practice.
However, the effectiveness is still Limited object and debate. An experiment in Idaho in 2017 was able to measure a minimum increase in high precision radar precipitation: the equivalent of millimeters of snow in one event. Throughout an entire winter, these small additions can represent billions of additional gallons into the reservoirs.
The lack of public confidence, however, also feeds Historical controversy. One of the most notorious episodes occurred in 1947, when the North Army -American attempted to manipulate a dry ice hurricane, which eventually coincided with a change in the storm, causing deaths and damage. Although scientists consider the result to be a coincidence, the case led to a strong public reaction.
Misinformation and distrust as a background
For researchers like Holly Buck at the University of Buffalo, the search for guilty after natural disasters finds fertile ground in contexts of uncertainty. “Theories like these are connected to online subcultures that I already believe in conspiracies It involved chemical routes and vaccines, “he told Washington Post.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spoke last Thursday, recognizing the concerns of the population and publishing a page with information on information Geoengineering and condensation routes. “North -Americans have legitimate questions and deserve clear answers,” said Lee Zeldin Agency administrator.
Even with recent controversy, Doricko revealed that his company, which has already raised $ 31 million in risk capital and has 58 employees, continues to receive consultations from potential customers. For him, the path is inside transparency, regulation and public supervision. “If it’s natural, it’s harder to accept. But blaming someone gives the false sense of control over tragedy,” he said.
