India's Cloud Seeding Trials Criticized as Costly and Ineffective
India's recent cloud seeding trials in New Delhi aimed at reducing air pollution have been widely criticized by scientists and activists as ineffective and a costly spectacle. The experiments produced little rainfall due to unfavorable weather, and experts argue that only addressing pollution sources can truly improve air quality.
India's efforts to combat severe winter air pollution in New Delhi through cloud seeding have faced strong criticism from scientists and environmental campaigners. The trials, conducted by Delhi authorities in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, involved spraying particles like silver iodide and salt into clouds to trigger rain and wash pollutants from the air. However, the first attempts yielded minimal rainfall because of thin cloud cover and unsuitable atmospheric conditions. Critics argue that cloud seeding is a short-term, expensive solution that does not address the root causes of pollution, such as emissions from vehicles, factories, and farm fires. Environmentalists and climate scientists emphasize that only reducing pollution sources, such as by enforcing cleaner fuels and better waste management, can lead to lasting improvements. The government has spent around $364,000 on the trials, but experts warn that the benefits are fleeting and the long-term environmental impact of the chemicals used is unknown. Some scientists have labeled the initiative a 'gimmick' and a 'costly spectacle' that distracts from more effective pollution control measures. Despite the controversy, officials maintain that the trials are part of ongoing research and should not be dismissed as failures.
