Amidst a historic heatwave and persistent drought, Mexico's government has initiated the latest phase of a cloud seeding project, aiming to bolster rainfall in the parched regions, reports The Guardian.
Starting in July, the project involves specialized planes releasing silver iodide particles into clouds, theoretically attracting more water droplets and enhancing rain or snowfall.
The agriculture ministry asserts that cloud seeding is effectively countering drought's impact in rural areas and aiding in aquifer replenishment. They claim a remarkable 98% success rate, even attributing its use to extinguishing forest fires in 2021.
Nevertheless, prominent cloud physicists in Mexico question the technology's viability, and experts from various fields warn against simplistic approaches to climate change effects.
Fernando García García and Guillermo Montero Martínez, cloud physicists from Mexico's National Autonomous University (Unam), emphasize the absence of concrete evidence linking cloud seeding techniques to consistent precipitation increases, particularly in critical economic zones. Despite Mexico overseeing the world's longest cloud seeding study from 1948 to 1970, conclusive results remained elusive.
The cloud physicists say that cloud seeding should be seen as just one component of an integrated strategy for water resource management.
Although farmers in northern Mexico, facing a designated "severe drought" by Mexico's National Water Commission (Conagua), remain open to any measures bringing more rain, some express skepticism. Álvaro Bours Cabrera, president of the Association of Farmers' Organizations of Southern Sonora (AOASS), advocates for investing in irrigation distribution networks to enhance efficiency and water conservation.
Recent extreme conditions in Mexico, similar to other parts of the world, have underscored the rapid impacts of climate change. Record-breaking temperatures led to livestock losses, escalating dairy and beef prices, and decimated firefly populations in previously humid forests. Water scarcity became increasingly severe, with some areas experiencing the driest June since 1941.
Despite these challenges, Mexico faces significant unpreparedness for extreme climate events in both urban and rural regions. Urban areas have transformed into heat islands due to excessive paving over green spaces, while unsustainable agricultural practices have led to desertification in rural areas.
Experts emphasize the urgency of early warning systems to prepare for water, electricity, and health-related concerns, as such extreme weather events are expected to persist.
Alfonso Cortez Lara, a professor of urban studies and the environment at the Northern Border College (Colef), says that the most fundamental water conservation strategies are often overlooked. He advocates for improving irrigation and water supply systems' efficiency, which could yield substantial water recovery. Additionally, enhancing water infrastructure in cities to reduce loss and better managing wells to preserve aquifers from depletion are crucial.
