Here are a couple of links that present an interesting twist on man-made climate change.
"Large Dams Can Affect Local Climates, Alter Rainfall, Says TTU Study" via the next link.
Researchers investigating how large dams can affect local climates say dams have the clear potential to drastically alter local rainfall in some regions.
A study by researchers at Tennessee Tech University, Purdue University, the University of Colorado and the University of Georgia, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Hellenic Center for Marine Research concluded that artificial reservoirs can modify precipitation patterns. The study—published in Geophysical Research Letters— marks the first time researchers have documented large dams having a clear, strong influence on the climate around artificial reservoirs, an influence markedly different from the climate around natural lakes and wetlands.
..."We know a lot about how climate change affects reservoirs, but what we didn't know a lot about was what a reservoir could do to the local climate," he said. "We just reversed our thinking by saying that a reservoir and the activities it supports are just as important a player for climate as the larger climate is for the reservoir. Basically, it's a two-way street."
"The Untold Story of a Venezuelan Dam That Failed, and a Look at What's Happening Now in China" via Craig Newmark. Back in the 70's the author worked for Citi which was involved in the financing of the Venezuelan dam, Guri. The dam was purported to be a near god-send for the creation of energy. But a funny thing happened on the way to the light switch.
Many years later I was wearing a different hat. I was on the ‘buy-side’. Investing in (very) distressed assets. Venezuela was in the crapper at the time and EDELCA bonds (owner of Guri) were trading at 30 cents on the dollar with 5 years of interest coupons attached for free. So I took a look. I noticed that the MW production was substantially below what had been projected. I asked a guy I knew at the World Bank about it:
BK: Where’s the juice at Guri?WB: Bad question to ask. The rainfall that historically fed the region has changed its pattern and annual flow. There are some who think that the enormous lake that was created changed the way the rain fell. Less water, less electicity.
BK: Incredible! Has this been proven? It would create a big stink if this were to come out.
WB: There will be no study. The dam has been built. No one wants to hear any bad news about this project. There are too many others like it being built around the world. The World Bank is promoting hydro power. We don’t want to tarnish what we build.
The emphases are the author's.