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What if humans were no longer as susceptible to Mother Nature’s wrath? Geo-engineers are exploring seemingly unimaginable concepts, including attempts to deflect hurricanes, increase and decrease rainfall, channel lightning, and harness the power of tornadoes. Each episode of “Hacking the Planet” will follow host and former Scientific American editor-in-chief John Rennie through a series of field experiments, illustrated by unique animated graphics, to uncover strategies for potentially manipulating the Earth, and whether those plans would help mankind, harm the planet, or both. Rennie will be joined by Huffington Post’s “Talk Nerdy to Me” Science Correspondent Cara Santa Maria and Brian Malow, science writer and science comedian, who will help Rennie talk through each scenario and its plausibility.

“It simply defies nature to think that humans could prevent rain from disrupting a sporting event or use lasers to draw lightning away from sensitive areas like nuclear power plants,” said Michael Dingley, senior vice president, content and development, The Weather Channel. “It’s fascinating to imagine a world where we can could manipulate the planet’s most powerful natural forces. If any of these experiments are successful, it’s truly mind-boggling to think what that could mean for our future.” (Source: The Weather Channel)

1. Hacking Hurricanes
2. Hacking Tornadoes
3. Hacking Lightning
4. Hacking Clouds
An Oregon company explores ways to harness energy from the magma chamber of a volcano in Hawaii.
5. Hacking Earthquakes
A California company examines ways to predict earthquakes.
6. Hacking Volcanoes
An Oregon company explores ways to harness energy from the magma chamber of a volcano in Hawaii.

Source: Weather Channel