How to increase Rainfall – Eco-logically

We can use Cloud-Seeding, Rain-Rockets, Atmosphere Zappers and other weather-modification technologies, but wouldn’t we be better off using safe, eco-logical technologies to increase rainfall instead?

Scientists have evidence supporting the widespread perception that trees make rain and that by growing more vegetation, we increase rainfall. That’s all well and good in theory. But out in the real world, forests are being cleared at a faster rate than at any time in history!

How can we possibly stop this deforestation and get more trees and other vegetation back into our landscapes?

By changing the story, we tell about the value of trees!

In one of the least hospitable geographical and political climates in South America, the community have transformed their degraded landscape – nothing but a few blades of grass in the highly acidic soil – into over 8,000 hectares of forest. A big enough area to improve the local climate by generating 10% more rainfall.[1]

Forest Regeneration at Las Gaviotas (© Friends of Las Gaviotas)

Using the Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea), which doesn’t naturally occur in their region, as their main pioneer species, the community at Las Gaviotas have restored their rainforest. As the pines grow, they produce a shady understory, reduce water loss through evaporation, improve the soil and provide an income from harvesting the resin. Later the pines are slowly squeezed out by the regeneration of native trees, together with the oil palms and fruit trees the community plants to produce additional income and biodiesel to transport their products to Bogota.[1]

If they can achieve this – what’s stopping the rest of us?

3 Things that Will Make a Difference

1. Change the story told about the value of trees

Let your neighbours, farmers, local government and other regional organisations know about the science supporting the widespread perception that trees and other vegetation increase rainfall. Share this article – Trees make Rain – there is science now to prove it! And about the extra benefits of growing more trees and other vegetation

• Drought-proofing – trees and other vegetation help increase the amount of water infiltrating and stored in the soil and reduce water loss from evaporation. [2][3] Share these articles and videos on Drought-proofing your Garden and Drought-proofing your Farm.
• Better Yields – farmers increase their income streams by growing income-producing trees and reducing downtimes during drought
• Natural air-conditioning –

  “Imagine a large tree with a crown of about 10 meters in diameter… In the course of a sunny day, such a tree cools with power equal to more than ten air-conditioning units. The tree is ‘fuelled’ by solar energy, made of recyclable materials, and requires minimal maintenance.” [4]

3. Share these resources showing how we can make the most of the rain using cost-effective eco-logical solutions.

References

[1] Friends of Las Gaviotas (http://www.friendsofgaviotas.org/)

[2] Wendy Seabrook, 2021, How to Drought-Proof your Garden, Learning from Nature

[3] Wendy Seabrook, 2021, How to Drought-Proof your Farm, Learning from Nature

[4] M. Kravcík, J. Pokorný, J. Kohutiar, M. Kovác, E. Tóth, 2007, Water for the Recovery of the Climate – A New Water Paradigm. Krupa Print, Žilina

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