Recognizing that advances in atmospheric science may permit deliberate alteration of weather and other atmospheric phenomena on increasingly substantial scales, and
Concerned that such capabilities could be used to inflict harm, destruction, or coercion across national borders, and
Noting that storms, winds, precipitation, and other atmospheric phenomena are sufficiently dangerous without being deliberately employed as instruments of conflict, and
Affirming that atmospheric research and peaceful weather modification may provide substantial benefits to agriculture, environmental management, disaster mitigation, and scientific understanding, and
Respecting the sovereign authority of member nations over activities within their jurisdictions,
Desiring to ensure that the atmosphere remains a domain of peaceful scientific and civil use rather than another means of waging war, therefore enacts as follows:
- For the purposes of this resolution:
- "Atmospheric modification" shall mean the deliberate alteration, creation, suppression, intensification, or redirection of an atmospheric or meteorological phenomenon by artificial means;
- "Hostile atmospheric modification" shall mean atmospheric modification undertaken with the intent to:
- cause physical harm to persons;
- damage or destroy property, infrastructure, or natural resources;
- disrupt essential civilian or military functions; or
- coerce, punish, or obtain an advantage over another member through the threat or use of such effects.
- "Secondary effect" shall mean a foreseeable consequence resulting from atmospheric modification, including flooding, fire, landslides, storm surge, or other physical phenomena, whether or not the resulting phenomenon would itself ordinarily be considered weather.
- Member nations shall prohibit hostile atmospheric modification originating from within their jurisdiction where the intended effects are directed against another member.
- Hostile atmospheric modification shall include, but not be limited to:
- deliberately creating or intensifying destructive storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, or hail;
- deliberately altering precipitation or drought conditions to cause significant harm;
- deliberately creating dangerous atmospheric conditions to obstruct transportation or essential services;
- deliberately directing atmospheric phenomena against a specific person, facility, population, or jurisdiction; and
- deliberately employing atmospheric modification to produce a harmful secondary effect against another member.
- The prohibition on hostile atmospheric modification shall apply regardless of whether the intended target is:
- a civilian population;
- a military force or installation;
- a government institution or official;
- critical infrastructure; or
- any other person, organization, or property under the jurisdiction of another member.
- Nothing in this resolution shall prohibit atmospheric modification conducted for:
- scientific research;
- agriculture;
- water management;
- environmental management;
- disaster prevention or mitigation;
- public safety; or
- other peaceful purposes, provided that such activity is not undertaken with the intent prohibited by Clause 2.
- No member may invoke national defense, retaliation, or military necessity as a justification for conduct prohibited by this resolution.
- Nothing in this resolution shall:
- prohibit ordinary weather forecasting, atmospheric observation, or meteorological research;
- regulate naturally occurring weather or atmospheric phenomena;
- apply to members or territories possessing no atmosphere upon which atmospheric modification can operate; or
- authorize the World Assembly to interfere with lawful peaceful activities conducted within a member's jurisdiction.
- Member nations shall take reasonable measures within their jurisdiction to prevent the intentional use of atmospheric modification in violation of this resolution.
