Contrails 101

What is a contrail? What are contrails made of? Can I see them? How are they formed? Where are they formed? How long do they last in the sky? Are they dangerous to humans? Do contrails affect climate? What are the ingredients of jet fuel, and are they necessary for the formation of contrails? Why

Facing climate concerns, will King County stop Boeing Field expansion?

Not long ago, halting an airport expansion over climate issues and environmental justice concerns might have seemed far-fetched. But times are changing. by  Katie Wilson  / June 9, 2021 A Boeing 737 Max 9 built for United Airlines lands at King County International Airport after a test flight from Moses Lake, Washington, on Nov. 18, 2020.

Facing climate concerns, will King County stop Boeing Field expansion?

Not long ago, halting an airport expansion over climate issues and environmental justice concerns might have seemed far-fetched. But times are changing. by Katie Wilson Back in April, I wrote about the dissonance between the existential urgency of the climate crisis and the default desire for economic growth to lift us out of the pandemic doldrums. We’re

What the shakeups, legal losses for fossil fuel companies mean for climate change efforts

Three major oil and gas firms — ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron — suffered hits in court and among their own investors Wednesday, amid pressure for businesses and governments to seriously curtail emissions that drive climate change. William Brangham explores the significance of the hits with Dr. Leah Stokes, a political scientist with expertise

PBS Nova: The Great Electric Airplane Race

Can new emission-free electric planes replace our polluting airliners and revolutionize personal transportation in our cities? NOVA takes you for a ride in some impressive prototypes that are already in the air, from speedy single-seat planes that can take off like a helicopter but are half as noisy to “self-flying” air taxis that are already

Airport speaks out against pending climate bill

Legislation would impose $1,000 landing fee; officials note other ‘far-reaching’ challenges. By Lucas Thors Aircraft would be charged a $1,000 landing fee under newly proposed state legislation. Martha’s Vineyard Airport is objecting to the bill. Martha’s Vineyard Airport officials are denouncing pending state legislation that would require Massachusetts airports to impose a $1,000 fee on

King County aims to slash carbon emissions in half by 2030, including aviation

A plane takes off on Monday, December 11, 2017, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Credit: KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer By John Ryan The King County Council unanimously approved a new climate strategy Tuesday, aimed at cutting the county’s climate-harming pollution in half in less than a decade. In addition to halving the climate impact of Washington’s most

Washington state’s carbon pricing bill could be most far-reaching in nation. How will it work?

One plane arrives as others take off at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Airline emissions are part of greenhouse gas… (Mike Siegel / The Seattle Times, 2018)  By Hal Bernton  Seattle Times staff reporter Washington state’s recently passed carbon-pricing legislation appears to be the nation’s most far-reaching state-level attempt to clamp down on greenhouse gas emissions. It’s

Leaded gas was phased out 25 years ago. Why are these planes still using toxic fuel?

Piston-engine aircraft remain the single largest source of highly toxic airborne lead. Miguel Alarcon stands in Hillview Park, a block from the house where he once lived near Reid-Hillview Airport in East San Jose, Calif.John Brecher / for NBC News By Leticia Miranda and Cyrus Farivar SAN JOSE, Calif. — Miguel Alarcon made a habit