What if All The Clouds Disappeared Forever?

Clouds, ranging from delicate and wispy to large and fluffy, envelop approximately 70% of the Earth's surface at any given time. However, consider the scenario where, in an instant, they vanish completely. This sudden absence would likely astonish astronauts observing from the International Space Station. Conversely, an individual hiking in a desert environment may not immediately recognize the impending crisis on Earth. Within a few days, the initial indicator would manifest as increased humidity. This effect would be exacerbated for those residing near coastal areas. Typically, the sun's warmth causes water to evaporate, primarily from the ocean, with the resulting vapor forming clouds. Yet, if clouds were removed from the Earth's hydrological cycle, the moisture would linger in the atmosphere, leading to nearly 100% humidity levels. Should you board a flight during this time, you might encounter heightened turbulence. The absence of clouds, which normally reflect sunlight back into space, would result in increased solar heating of the Earth, generating more rising and uneven hot air.

A problematic flight may be the least of our concerns, as we face the prospect of no more rain, snow, or even light mist. This absence signifies a lack of means to replenish our vital water sources, such as lakes, streams, rivers, springs, and aquifers. Consequently, once the snow from last winter has melted, we will be left with only the water currently available to us. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. If global water consumption continues at its present rate, we could deplete all freshwater lakes and rivers within approximately 23 years. Therefore, to safeguard our freshwater resources, humanity must adopt a strategic approach. Presently, the average American consumes between 80 to 100 gallons of water daily. However, preserving our water supply will require more than merely reducing the duration of showers and laundry cycles. The water utilized in residential and public settings constitutes only 21% of our total water consumption. The primary demands arise from thermoelectric power generation and agricultural irrigation.

Power plants consume vast quantities of water, and those utilizing nuclear fuel pose a significant risk if their cooling towers deplete their water supply. The catastrophic events of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster were triggered when an earthquake disrupted the power to the cooling pumps. Additionally, agricultural sectors will require even more water in the absence of sufficient rainfall. A prolonged drought would devastate numerous plant species and wildlife as the landscape becomes increasingly arid. Within a few years, the degradation of soil could lead to severe dust storms reminiscent of the Dust Bowl era in the 1930s. Concurrently, the Earth's climate would experience severe disruptions in the absence of cloud cover. While precise predictions necessitate costly climate modeling, cloud specialist Chris Fairall provided some preliminary estimations. In the absence of clouds, average surface temperatures could increase by as much as 22 degrees Celsius. This drastic rise in temperature would obliterate the habitats of most plant and animal life, extinguishing those that manage to survive the drought, while also contributing to the melting of polar ice caps and resulting in significant flooding in coastal urban areas.

It is possible that you may find yourself among the 40% of the global population compelled to relocate inland, with your new residence potentially situated in an unending desert as seawater infiltrates our vital freshwater supplies. While this scenario is indeed concerning, there are some positive aspects to a cloudless world. We would no longer face the threat of catastrophic hurricanes and tornadoes, experience flight delays due to inclement weather, or contend with overcast skies that hinder our stargazing endeavors. As our water resources diminish, we will be faced with difficult decisions; however, humanity has a remarkable capacity for innovation. We could develop methods to desalinate seawater or capture moisture from the atmosphere. The urgency of these solutions cannot be overstated, as we are already witnessing a decline in cloud cover. Unprecedented carbon dioxide levels, along with rising ocean and atmospheric temperatures, are contributing to the thinning of clouds. Therefore, despite the potential benefits, it may be prudent to focus on reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to avert this daunting future.