I will convolute this conversation further by stating that contrails (like all other clouds consisting of ice crystals) warm up the planet by letting shortwave radiation from the Sun through while being more reflective in longer infrared wavelenghts, thus trapping outgoing longwave radiation. Contrails themselves are also warming the planet up. It’s a small contribution in the grand scheme, but far from a trivial one.
I will convolute this conversation further by stating that contrails (like all other clouds consisting of ice crystals) warm up the planet by letting shortwave radiation from the Sun through while being more reflective in longer infrared wavelenghts, thus trapping outgoing longwave radiation. Contrails themselves are also warming the planet up. It’s a small contribution in the grand scheme, but far from a trivial one.
Pretty sure it’s extremely trivial compared to the exhaust gasses.Edit: I’m wrong!This could’ve been a quick web search on your part, but here you go:
https://www.science.org/content/article/aviation-s-dirty-secret-airplane-contrails-are-surprisingly-potent-cause-global-warming
https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate1068
Huh. I’m one of today’s lucky 10000, so thanks! Sorry for the mistake.
No problem, it happens.