EPISODE · Dec 17, 2025 · 21 MIN
How the ‘Chemtrails’ Conspiracy Theory Is Sabotaging One Company
from The Journal. · host The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios
Cloud seeding is a decades-old rain-making technology, and it’s making a comeback in drought-stricken western states. Utah is partnering with a startup called Rainmaker as they try to stabilize the Great Salt Lake, assisted by drones and AI. But those efforts are colliding with weather conspiracy theories that have only gotten more persistent after some blamed Rainmaker for deadly floods in Texas last year. Jessica Mendoza spoke to the company’s CEO Agustus Doricko about their projects, and WSJ’s Kris Maher explains the growing movement for states to ban weather modification despite scientific consensus. Further Listening: - Hot, Dry and Booming: A Texas Climate Case Study - Is Asheville No Longer a 'Climate Haven?' Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Cloud seeding is a decades-old rain-making technology, and it’s making a comeback in drought-stricken western states. Utah is partnering with a startup called Rainmaker as they try to stabilize the Great Salt Lake, assisted by drones and AI. But those efforts are colliding with weather conspiracy theories that have only gotten more persistent after some blamed Rainmaker for deadly floods in Texas last year. Jessica Mendoza spoke to the company’s CEO Agustus Doricko about their projects, and WSJ’s Kris Maher explains the growing movement for states to ban weather modification despite scientific consensus. Further Listening: - Hot, Dry and Booming: A Texas Climate Case Study - Is Asheville No Longer a 'Climate Haven?' Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How the ‘Chemtrails’ Conspiracy Theory Is Sabotaging One Company
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