The Plane Truth?

It's been known, for at least 20 years, that jet aircraft vapour trails (contrails) have big impacts on global heating. Airlines and airports have, however, opposed any measures to deal with this issue. They have routinely argued over this time, that the impact of contrails is not yet 'proved' (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/18/aviation-chiefs-rejected-measures-to-curb-climate-impact-of-jet-vapours). Contrails, consist of particles of ice and soot, produced high in the atmosphere. They act as a barrier, preventing solar radiation being reflected back into space. Scientists estimate, that at least 50% of the aviation industry's impact on global heating, occurs via these non-carbon dioxide emissions. Indeed, an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, as early as 1999, suggested that the historic impact of aviation is some 2-4 times greater than that caused by its 'greenhouse gas' emissions. The aviation industry seems to have used techniques developed by climate-change denialists (e.g. suggesting that the science is uncertain), to underplay their contribution to global heating. Passengers on jets, who want to offset the environmental impact of their travel, consequently get very mixed messages. They get one figure from their airlines (based only on carbon dioxide emissions) and a much higher one from scientists (based on carbon dioxide emissions and the impact of contrails). 'How many trees, do I need to plant?' beomes a difficult question. Aviation needs to be more honest.