Dive into this one-on-one interview with Dr. Matras, who discusses his unique rain enhancement project, ‘Laser-based rain triggering demonstrator with remote sensing technology’, being awarded a 5th Cycle grant by UAEREP, and more. 

Article by Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP 

In the face of escalating climate change and increasing water scarcity, rain enhancement technologies, such as cloud seeding, have emerged as innovative solutions aimed at bolstering our water supplies. However, the benefits of rain enhancement extend far beyond water security. While this technology's primary objective is to increase precipitation and secure water resources, its implications for climate resilience, agriculture, combatting pollution, and as a supplement to existing water technologies are unique and multifaceted.

By Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud, Founding Director of the Climate and Water Program at the Middle East Institute

To the general public, the concept of cloudseeding probably seems akin to science-fiction.

A notion that is bolstered by entertainment media propagating the erroneous idea that humans can directly control the climate (such as the 2017 movie Geostorm that emphasized this fictional overestimation of our relationship with weather). This fantasy-like interpretation of actual cloudseeding persists despite the fact that cloudseeding has been in practice for over fifty years in more than a dozen countries. 

This past month, the UAEREP-NCM Research team met with the University of Washington’s Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) Program team to discuss the MCB program’s recent demonstration of the Cloud Aerosol Research Instrument (CARI).

As summer fast approaches in the UAE, it's important to be mindful of our water usage. Living in an arid desert climate, where water is a precious resource, conservation becomes paramount. The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) is dedicated to promoting sustainability and water security through rain enhancement research and funding, but there are things you can do, too! Here are some practical water conservation tips to help you navigate through the hot summer months responsibly.

As we commemorate Earth Day, it is imperative to reflect on the critical role of weather and climate in shaping our lives and ecosystems. Weather patterns influence agricultural productivity, water resource management, infrastructure planning, and even human health. However, in a world facing the challenges of climate change and increasing weather extremes, the need for innovative solutions to mitigate these impacts has never been more pressing.