Criticism leveled by Kachelmann akin to hailstorm of insults
In a bid to combat hail damage, counties are sending planes into hail clouds to spray silver iodide, a substance known for its ice-nucleating properties [1]. This technique, known as cloud seeding, has been studied and implemented to modify weather phenomena, including hail suppression.
Silver iodide acts as an ice nucleating agent, promoting the formation of smaller ice particles in supercooled clouds. This can reduce hailstone size and associated damage. For instance, an Austrian study conducted from 1981 to 2000 used silver iodide seeding for hail prevention, and this technique remains actively deployed there [1]. In the U.S. and Canada, programs use silver iodide to reduce hail damage by seeding clouds, with some programs reporting increases in precipitation by 5-20% and reductions in hail size and damage under certain conditions [3][4][5].
However, the effectiveness of using silver iodide in hail prevention is not universally accepted. Some critics question its efficacy, citing a lack of definitive proof [6]. On the other hand, homeopathy, a practice based on principles not supported by modern science, has no proven mechanism or evidence to affect weather phenomena like hail [7]. Homeopathy involves highly diluted substances with no active molecules remaining, which precludes any plausible physical effect on clouds or hail formation. No credible scientific studies have shown homeopathy to influence weather or hail events.
| Method | Scientific Evidence | Mechanism | Practical Use & Effectiveness | |--------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Silver iodide cloud seeding | Supported by long-term studies including controlled experiments and operational programs[1][3][4][5] | Promotes ice nucleation in supercooled clouds, changing droplet size distributions and reducing hailstone size | Used in several countries and U.S. states; benefits are conditional and modest but measurable | | Homeopathy | No credible scientific support | No known physical mechanism to influence weather | Not used or recognized by weather modification science |
The Rems-Murr district, a region frequently affected by hail, is continuing with the hail flights, with 14 flights taking place this year [2]. The district is providing 50,000 euros for hail flights until 2026 [8]. However, the funding for these flights is significantly less than the proposed funding for homeopathy by Karl Lauterbach, a former health minister, who proposed allocating 20 to 50 million euros from health insurance funds for homeopathy in 2024, which he considers ineffective [4].
The debate over the effectiveness of hail flights in preventing hail damage and the controversy surrounding homeopathy have led to heated discussions. Meteorologist Jörg Kachelmann, for instance, accuses hail fighters of being reckless and full of criminal energy [9]. Many people share similar sentiments about the effectiveness of homeopathy. Kachelmann suggests calming globules as a solution to the situation [9].
As the Rems-Murr district considers cuts in areas such as school transportation and the district hospital due to financial constraints [10], the question of whether to continue investing in hail flights or alternative, unproven methods like homeopathy remains a topic of debate.
References:
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate3014 [2] https://www.rems-murr.de/presse/2021/10/28/hagelbeschuss-in-der-remsmurr-fliegen-14-flugzeuge-an [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11334 [4] https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/hagelbeschuss-kritik-an-der-hagelbekaempfung-a-1239283.html [5] https://www.nature.com/articles/nature10971 [6] https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/hagelbeschuss-kritik-an-der-hagelbekaempfung-a-1239283.html [7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5204516/ [8] https://www.rems-murr.de/presse/2021/10/28/hagelbeschuss-in-der-remsmurr-fliegen-14-flugzeuge-an [9] https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/hagelbeschuss-kritik-an-der-hagelbekaempfung-a-1239283.html [10] https://www.rems-murr.de/presse/2021/10/28/hagelbeschuss-in-der-remsmurr-fliegen-14-flugzeuge-an
- The Rems-Murr district, in the pursuit of economic and social policy, continues to fund hail flights despite financial constraints, with 14 flights taking place this year.
- Conversely, there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of entertainment, such as calming globules, in affecting weather phenomena like hail or preventing hail damage.
- In contrast to homeopathy, the efficacy of science-based economic and social policy, like silver iodide cloud seeding, in reducing hail damage is supported by long-term studies and operational programs.
