Hurricane reduction through ocean surface cooling

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of reducing hurricane intensity through ocean surface cooling, exploring the feasibility and implications of such a project. Participants consider the potential for government interest in weather control and the environmental and logistical challenges associated with the proposed methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the practicality of the project, questioning the effectiveness of "magic conduits" for cooling ocean water and the economic viability of mooring vessels in deep water.
  • Concerns are raised about the environmental impact of cooling surface waters, particularly regarding marine life that thrives in warmer temperatures.
  • There is speculation about the political ramifications if the cooling system were to fail or if hurricanes were to strike unintended locations, such as Miami or New Orleans, raising questions about accountability.
  • One participant draws a parallel to other ambitious weather control projects, suggesting that they may face similar challenges and skepticism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; multiple competing views remain regarding the feasibility and implications of the ocean cooling project.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved questions about the technical mechanisms of the proposed cooling system, the economic feasibility of implementation, and the potential ecological consequences of altering ocean temperatures.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in climate engineering, environmental science, and the socio-political implications of weather modification technologies may find this discussion relevant.

alchemical
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Old article: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/08/28/hurricanes.gates.gray/

What do you guys think? Where do you see this project going? The official word is that it's not being publicly funded. But if there was even a 10% chance it would work, I see governments lining up at the possibility to control weather. To save billions of dollars in damage from weather. To use the weather against enemies.
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
That is what the hurricane is for. To cool the ocean.
 
alchemical said:
Old article: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/08/28/hurricanes.gates.gray/

What do you guys think? Where do you see this project going? The official word is that it's not being publicly funded. But if there was even a 10% chance it would work, I see governments lining up at the possibility to control weather. To save billions of dollars in damage from weather. To use the weather against enemies.
I see it going to the same place as the project to build 1000 meter tall walls across the Midwest to stop tornadoes.

This article doesn't explain how these "magic conduits" push warm surface water down and bring colder, deeper water up from the bottom. Plus, to be effective at stopping the damage from a hurricane, the barges would have to be moored 100-200 miles offshore, which is all deep water. Not a place where mooring a vessel is economical.

And then the environmental types would grow concerned that all this colder water near the surface would damage the marine life which normally lives in the warm surface water. When communities wanted to put LNG gasification facilities offshore, that was the objection raised: that the heat extracted from the surrounding water used to gasify the LNG would disrupt the ecosystem, even though the affected area was limited and the temperature was reduced in this zone only a few degrees.
 
And the first time a hurricane is forecast for Gator Breath, Florida, they turn this thing on and it ends up hitting Miami, what do you think is going to happen? Even if it was just random and not this thing's fault?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
they turn this thing on and it ends up hitting Miami,

Or New Orleans.
 
There is no point to continuing this thread.
 

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