Pregel to Wallace / Change climatic conditions

Transcription: ATR-1

66255M File Now BORIS PREGEL 630 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK 20, N.Y. April 8th, 1948 Hon. Henry A. Wallace NEW REPUBLIC 40 East 49 Street New York 17, New York Dear Mr. Wallace: I received today the letter from Mr. Schlytter which I am returning to you herewith. Except for some very general and absolutely unfounded remarks, I have not seen any information on the continuous influence of atomic explosions on climatic conditions in any publications or literature. Mr. Huxley, about two years ago, spoke about completely different things. He said that we could, with the help of atomic energy, change climatic conditions. For example, we could melt the icecap in the north, or by changing the contours of the mainland, we could divert the course of such currents like the gulf stream. He indicated also that it is certainly theoretically feasible, but that he had a meeting with some authorities in geography and meteorology and although important changes of this kind could be profitable to certain parts of the continents such as bringing milder weather to the arctic and sub-arctic regions, on the other hand certain other parts of the continents might become deserts. He did not elaborate on this any more and I personally agree with him on the principles. With kindest personal regards. Sincerely yours, Boris Pregel BP/hr Encl. Henry A. Wallace Papers Reel No. 44 Frame No. 0720 THE UNIVERSITY of IOWA / Iowa City, Iowa