Climate Change Caused By Commercial Airliners?

[Ivan Seeking]

Those wispy streams of vapor that follow jetliners across the sky may not be as innocuous as they appear.

A new NASA study claims man-made cirrus clouds formed by commercial jet engine exhaust may be responsible for the increased surface temperatures detected in the United States between 1975 and 1994.

Climate data shows there has been a 1 percent per decade increase in cirrus cloud cover over the United States, which the NASA paper says is likely due to commercial air traffic.

Cirrus clouds, whether natural or artificial, play an important climatological role because they trap heat in the atmosphere by reflecting infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface.

The study, which appeared in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Climate, estimates that cirrus clouds from jet engine condensation trails, or contrails, increased the temperature of the lower atmosphere by anywhere from 0.36 to 0.54 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. These findings tend to agree with National Weather Service data that shows temperatures at the surface and lower atmosphere rising by almost 0.5 degrees per decade between 1975 and 1994. [continued]

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[Andre]

The probable warming curve could match the increase of airliner activity and there are studies argueing that high clouds tend to have a warming effect. And the areas that experienced the most warming (Northern hemisphere contiments, especially Europe) also have the greatest density of airline traffic. Moreover, the water vapor brought in at higher levels is just about the strongest nmatural greenhouse gas. However satelite observation show a cooling trend at higher altitudes, attributed to the thinning of the ozone layer.

Other possible causes that are seldomly mentioned:
- Direct absorbtion of energy in the lower atmosphere by soot and haze
- decreasing albedo (reflectivity) of the Earth surface due to reforrestation and urbanisation
- abnormal oceanic behaviour (increasing strong el ninos) enhanced THC, etc
- abnormal weather flow patterns, increasing the equator to polar circulation, effectively transporting more tropical heat to the moderate areas.

 

[ravenprp]

The findings of this NASA study are certainly concerning and raise important questions about the impact of commercial airliners on our climate. As much as we may enjoy the convenience and accessibility of air travel, it is crucial that we consider the potential consequences on our environment.

The fact that man-made cirrus clouds from jet engine exhaust can contribute to increased surface temperatures is a significant discovery. It highlights the interconnectedness of our actions and their impact on the planet. While it may be easy to dismiss these vapor trails as harmless, this study shows that they are contributing to the warming of our atmosphere.

It is also worth noting that this study focused on the United States, but the effects of commercial air traffic are not limited to one country. The global nature of air travel means that these cirrus clouds could be contributing to climate change on a much larger scale. This is a reminder that we need to take a global perspective when considering the environmental impact of our actions.

As consumers, we have a responsibility to be informed about the impact of our choices. This includes considering the environmental implications of air travel and seeking out more sustainable alternatives whenever possible. It is also important for the aviation industry to continue researching and implementing solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of their emissions on our climate.

In conclusion, this NASA study serves as a reminder that our actions, even seemingly small ones, can have a significant impact on our environment. We must continue to educate ourselves and make conscious choices to help combat climate change.