Technology-Enhanced Atmospheric Moistening (TEAM) for More Precipitation: A Perspective

Large-scale freshwater production solutions can alleviate freshwater scarcity and support ecosystem restoration. In this perspective, we propose Technology-Enhanced Atmospheric Moistening (TEAM) to increase regional precipitation, such as rain and snow, and boost large-scale freshwater availability. By enhancing moisture in the atmosphere, TEAM reduces the amount of atmospheric lifting needed for cloud formation. TEAM can be implemented through spray or solar evaporation technologies, each with their own challenges and opportunities. Using atmospheric moisture flows between evaporation sources and precipitation sinks, we estimate where coastal evaporation from seven source locations may result in precipitation. This is a starting point for the identification of areas with high and low TEAM precipitation enhancement potential. Then, we discuss the position of TEAM in the larger field of technologies for enhancing freshwater supply where we compare TEAM with desalination through reverse osmosis, cloud seeding, and forestation for precipitation enhancement. Further research should focus on (1) quantifying the potential for precipitation generation by enhanced atmospheric moistening, (2) developing technologies that can supply this moisture to the atmosphere, and (3) interdisciplinary regional design. With further research and development, we believe that TEAM can contribute to large-scale freshwater generation.