Historic Projects Aimed at Altering the Climate: From Bombing Ice Caps to Building Artificial Mountains

Atlantropa: The Plan for a Lowered Mediterranean

In the 1930s, German engineer Herman Sörgel envisioned an ambitious project known as Atlantropa. His idea involved constructing a dam across the Strait of Gibraltar, which would lower the Mediterranean Sea by about 656 feet (200 meters). This dramatic change in sea levels was expected to create vast new lands and provide Europe with endless hydroelectric power.

The project received significant support from engineers and experts, who designed detailed plans for the dam. However, critics raised concerns over environmental impacts, particularly on cities like Venice that relied on their canals. Despite surviving World War II, Atlantropa never moved beyond the drawing board due to various logistical challenges.

Modifying Nature in Soviet Russia

Russia’s climate was often a source of frustration for its inhabitants, leading Soviet engineers like PM Borisov to propose radical solutions. One such idea involved building a dam across the Bering Strait to melt Arctic ice and raise global temperatures by several degrees. Another, more audacious plan suggested excavating a small area under the Thompson-Wyville Ridge to achieve similar results.

These ideas aligned with the “Great Stalin Plan for the Transformation of Nature,” which aimed to drastically alter Russia’s environment through massive engineering projects. Although such plans were discussed well into the 1960s, economic and practical considerations eventually put an end to them.

Nuclear Bombs and Arctic Ice

The discovery of atomic energy brought a new wave of optimism in the mid-20th century. American scientist Harry Wexler proposed using nuclear bombs to melt the Arctic ice cap, believing that 10 carefully placed hydrogen bombs could significantly warm up the region. Similarly, Soviet scientists envisioned using nuclear devices to divert rivers and control climate patterns.

These ideas were put into practice, with the Soviets detonating three atomic bombs in an attempt to redirect a river but found that only minor changes occurred. The environmental impact, including radiation, made further attempts impractical.

New Mountains in Australia

Australian engineer Laurie Hogan dreamed of transforming his country by building new mountain ranges. In 1979, he published “Man Made Mountain,” which proposed creating a massive range stretching 1,243 miles (2,000 kilometers) across Western Australia. The project envisaged a series of cities and fish farms along the slopes.

Although Hogan’s plan garnered some attention, it ultimately failed to gain widespread support. His efforts culminated in the establishment of an “Engineered Australia Plan party,” which contested the 1983 federal election but found little traction among voters.

A Recap and Conclusion

These historical projects, while ambitious and at times absurd, reflect a persistent human desire to control and manipulate our environment. From lowering seas to creating artificial mountains, these ideas represent the intersection of science fiction and practical engineering. As we face new challenges in climate change, it is essential to consider both the potential benefits and the risks associated with geoengineering.

Source: The Guardian