An eyebrow-raising question: Katja Kokot asks the government how Slovenia is involved in "artificial weather manipulation"

Slovenian parliamentarian Katja Kokot has raised concerns over whether Slovenia is involved in activities related to artificial weather modification and geoengineering. The question, which has sparked public interest, was directed at the government during a parliamentary session. Kokot, a member of the Resilience party, asked the government to clarify its role in such potentially controversial practices. The inquiry comes amid growing public curiosity and debate surrounding the possibility of human intervention in weather patterns and environmental processes. Kokot highlighted that while Slovenia already engages in air defense operations against hailstorms, there are questions about other forms of weather manipulation, including the use of geoengineering techniques and technologies aimed at altering atmospheric conditions for defensive purposes. In her written question to the government, Kokot listed several specific inquiries. She asked whether Slovenia had permitted, commissioned, funded, or participated in any programs, research, experiments, or other activities involving artificial influence on weather, clouds, precipitation, hail, temperature, solar radiation, or other atmospheric processes in the last decade. She also sought information on whether Slovenia, the Slovenian Armed Forces, or other state institutions were participating in any NATO, European Union, or international organization projects related to weather modification, geoengineering, or the use of environmental processes for defense and security purposes. Additionally, Kokot requested clarification on how such activities are regulated in Slovenia, including the legal basis, permits, documentation, reports, measurement results, and links to publicly accessible documents. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive and interdepartmentally coordinated response, with each question addressed separately. The question generated some surprise and even humor in media circles. A satirical column in Dnevnik joked that the editorial team was left speechless by Kokot's inquiry, imagining the bureaucratic challenges faced by government officials tasked with providing a detailed answer. However, Kokot took issue with the tone of the piece and responded on social media, expressing frustration with what she perceived as a lack of understanding among journalists. She pointed out that anti-hail defense measures are well known and represent a typical example of weather modification. She noted that countries such as China and Dubai openly acknowledge various methods of weather modification and cited academic work, including a diploma thesis, to support her claims. Kokot argued that the topic is not new and that there is existing scholarly literature on the subject. Her inquiry reflects broader global discussions around climate engineering and the ethical implications of manipulating weather systems. While some governments have explored these technologies for agricultural or disaster mitigation purposes, others view them with skepticism due to potential environmental risks. Kokot’s question has prompted calls for transparency regarding Slovenia’s involvement in such initiatives. It also highlights the increasing public awareness and scrutiny of technological interventions in natural processes, especially as climate change continues to shape policy debates worldwide. The government has yet to formally respond to Kokot’s inquiry, though officials are expected to provide a detailed reply in the coming weeks. The response will likely involve collaboration between multiple ministries and agencies responsible for environmental regulation, defense, and scientific research. As the discussion unfolds, it could lead to further parliamentary debates and public discourse on the balance between national security interests, environmental protection, and the ethical considerations of weather modification technologies. The outcome of this inquiry may influence future policies and regulations governing such activities in Slovenia.