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Earth Intelligence

14 Dec 2023 — 4 min read

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U.S. Fed Interest Rates
Weather Manipulation Capability

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U.S. Fed Interest Rates:

The Federal Reserve, during its recent meeting, decided to maintain the current federal funds rate at 5.25% to 5.5%. This decision marks the third consecutive time the key interest rate has been held steady, with unanimous agreement from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members.
Reflecting on the future, the FOMC members have projected at least three rate cuts for the year 2024, which is slightly less aggressive than market expectations of four rate cuts but more than their previous indications. This decision comes amidst signs of easing inflation and a stable economy. Looking further ahead, the committee's forecasts, known as the "dot plot," suggest a continuation of this easing policy into 2025 and 2026.
They anticipate an additional four rate cuts in 2025, totaling a full percentage point, and three further reductions in 2026. This would potentially lower the federal funds rate to a range of 2% to 2.25%, aligning closely with their long-term outlook. The committee’s projections for 2025 and 2026 show varied estimates among members for these final years.

Weather Manipulation Capability:

ARIA, the UK's version of DARPA, is embarking on an ambitious project to explore weather control and climate geoengineering. In a detailed document titled "Managing our climate and weather through responsible engineering," ARIA's Program Director Mark Symes outlines potential strategies for manipulating weather patterns and mitigating climate change impacts.
This includes methods like Solar Radiation Management, which involves reflecting sunlight back into space, and Cirrus Cloud Thinning, aimed at increasing the escape of longwave radiation to space. The document serves as a foundational step for potential funding programs, which Symes notes will evolve over time. In a discussion with ARIA CEO Ilan Gur, they emphasize the importance of responsible experimentation in climate intervention, acknowledging the global rise in technological capabilities for such endeavors.
They stress the need for scientific rigor to underpin these experiments. ARIA's approach to this complex issue is not just about developing the technology for weather and climate control but also about understanding the ethical, environmental, and geopolitical implications of such interventions. Several countries have implemented cloud seeding programs with varying techniques and objectives. In the United Arab Emirates, cloud seeding is used to increase rainfall in the arid region.
China has a large-scale cloud seeding program aimed at inducing rain and snowfall over areas facing water shortages. The United States also uses cloud seeding, primarily in the western states, to enhance water supplies and for agricultural purposes. Different methods, such as using airplanes to disperse seeding agents or ground-based generators, are employed based on the specific goals and geographic conditions of each program.

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