DAVE ROSS

Ross: Trump’s idea to nuke a hurricane is nothing new

Aug 29, 2019, 8:39 AM | Updated: 12:42 pm

Nuking a hurricane...

Nuking a hurricane is one of many ideas that aren't exactly new to climate science. (NOAA)

(NOAA)

President Trump has reassured everyone that despite the story that ran on Axios, he would never try nuking a hurricane to snuff it out.

Ross: Another climate change report says we’re doomed

But let’s remember, this is not a new idea.

There’s this concept called “geo-engineering,” the idea that if we can’t or won’t control CO2, we can just use modern technology to control the consequences of climate change.

Under this geo-engineering theory, as the hurricanes, floods, and fires get worse, politicians will start running on a climate repair platform.

That, for example, might involve sending 60,000 flights each year into the upper atmosphere to spread sunlight-reflecting sulphate particles. Or there’s an idea to dump iron into the oceans to create enormous algae blooms to absorb CO2.

The fundamental problem with these concepts is that they are very hard to control. As in, we might wake up one day to find that the sun has suddenly disappeared.

In this era of contagious nationalism where countries are determined to go it alone, what if the geo-engineering program of “country A” kills the crops of “country B”? If ever there was an act of war, that would be it.

Could PNW kids suing over climate change force lawmakers to act?

In that kind of scenario, I could see someone deciding to nuke a hurricane, except as revenge.

Although it would certainly cut down on looting.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

privacy pods...

Dave Ross

Ross: Tracking employees’ vital signs at work via privacy pods, what could go wrong?

I saw a Bloomberg story about the latest innovation to reduce your stress level at work: Privacy pods.

24 days ago

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

1 month ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

1 month ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

2 months ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

2 months ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

2 months ago

Ross: Trump’s idea to nuke a hurricane is nothing new