Contrails Pose Climate Threat

Trails and Clouds Cause Climate Change

A new report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has found that contrails, the trails of water vapor left behind by aircraft, are a significant contributor to climate change. The report, titled "Aviation Contrails Climate Effect," found that contrails account for about 5% of the aviation industry's total climate impact.

Contrails are formed when water vapor from aircraft engines condenses and freezes in the cold, high altitudes where planes fly. These trails can persist for hours, and they can reflect sunlight back into space, which causes warming. In addition, contrails can also lead to the formation of cirrus clouds, which can also contribute to climate change.

The IATA report found that the climate impact of contrails is growing. This is because modern planes emit less carbon than older aircraft, but they produce more water vapor. As a result, the overall climate impact of contrails is increasing.

The report recommends a number of measures to reduce the climate impact of contrails, including:

• Contrail avoidance: Flying at lower altitudes or in different flight paths to avoid the formation of contrails.
• Contrail reduction: Using engine technologies that produce less water vapor.
• Contrail mitigation: Using technologies to modify the properties of contrails so that they have less of a climate impact.

The IATA report is a wake-up call for the aviation industry. Contrails are a significant contributor to climate change, and the industry needs to take action to reduce their impact.