About this episode
The episode explores the use of cloud seeding technology to combat environmental issues, particularly in Utah.
Can a technology used for war help prevent an environmental catastrophe in the making? Cloud seeding is a technique where particles, usually silver iodide, gets dispersed into clouds to help generate more rain or snow and it’s been around for 80 years. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. used cloud seeding in a top secret mission called Operation Popeye, to prolong the monsoon season in Vietnam. It’s since been deployed by state governments and private companies to bring more water to arid places. The only problem? It was hard to verify just how well it worked, which meant it was hard to make any money doing it. Until now. We tag along with a team of cloud seeders in Utah as they race to try to save the Great Salt Lake, and build a rainmaking empire.
Topics covered
- cloud seeding
- environmental technology
- water scarcity
- Great Salt Lake
- Vietnam War
- rainmaking
Keywords
- cloud seeding
- environmental catastrophe
- Great Salt Lake
- water supply
- Vietnam War
- rainmaking technology
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: U.S.
Products: cloud seeding, silver iodide
Places: Vietnam, Utah, Great Salt Lake
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