In a recent study, aviation experts have highlighted a promising and budget-friendly approach to combat the climate-warming effects of jet contrails. Findings indicate that eliminating these vapours could be accomplished for less than £4 per flight.
Contrails, which form when aircraft fly through cold, humid air, can trap heat in the atmosphere, effectively doubling the warming impact attributed to aviation fossil fuel emissions. This issue will be spotlighted at the upcoming UN climate conference, COP29, in Baku, as it is the first time contrails will be on the agenda.
Carlos Lopez de la Osa from the Transport & Environment campaign group pointed out that contrails act like artificial cloud cover, preventing heat from escaping into space. He compared the warming effect of contrails to that of aviation carbon emissions, emphasizing that both issues require urgent attention.
While misconceptions surrounding contrails, including wild conspiracy theories about "chemtrails" being used for mind control or disease spread, have proliferated, experts, including Matteo Mirolo from Breakthrough Energy, stress that these theories lack any scientific foundation.
The COP29 discussions aim to raise awareness about practical measures that could mitigate contrail warming. According to the Transport & Environment study, approximately 80% of the warming from contrails is produced by just 3% of flights. Modifying the flight paths of a few aircraft could effectively reduce these effects substantially by 2040.
Geographical factors, such as flight paths over North America, Europe, and the North Atlantic, significantly contribute to global contrail warming rates. Additionally, the time of day and the season can influence the warming potential of contrails, with evening flights and winter seasons being particularly impactful.
Lopez de la Osa mentioned that while planes currently avoid storms during flight, incorporating contrail formation avoidance into flight planning would represent a manageable challenge.
Researchers are confident that prioritizing contrail reduction at the COP29 event could garner attention for a climate solution that is both cost-effective and straightforward, potentially complementing the sizeable investments currently being directed towards sustainable aviation fuels. Taming contrails may represent a significant stride towards aiming for a healthier planet.
Contrails, which form when aircraft fly through cold, humid air, can trap heat in the atmosphere, effectively doubling the warming impact attributed to aviation fossil fuel emissions. This issue will be spotlighted at the upcoming UN climate conference, COP29, in Baku, as it is the first time contrails will be on the agenda.
Carlos Lopez de la Osa from the Transport & Environment campaign group pointed out that contrails act like artificial cloud cover, preventing heat from escaping into space. He compared the warming effect of contrails to that of aviation carbon emissions, emphasizing that both issues require urgent attention.
While misconceptions surrounding contrails, including wild conspiracy theories about "chemtrails" being used for mind control or disease spread, have proliferated, experts, including Matteo Mirolo from Breakthrough Energy, stress that these theories lack any scientific foundation.
The COP29 discussions aim to raise awareness about practical measures that could mitigate contrail warming. According to the Transport & Environment study, approximately 80% of the warming from contrails is produced by just 3% of flights. Modifying the flight paths of a few aircraft could effectively reduce these effects substantially by 2040.
Geographical factors, such as flight paths over North America, Europe, and the North Atlantic, significantly contribute to global contrail warming rates. Additionally, the time of day and the season can influence the warming potential of contrails, with evening flights and winter seasons being particularly impactful.
Lopez de la Osa mentioned that while planes currently avoid storms during flight, incorporating contrail formation avoidance into flight planning would represent a manageable challenge.
Researchers are confident that prioritizing contrail reduction at the COP29 event could garner attention for a climate solution that is both cost-effective and straightforward, potentially complementing the sizeable investments currently being directed towards sustainable aviation fuels. Taming contrails may represent a significant stride towards aiming for a healthier planet.
