+1 vote
in General Factchecking by Journeyman (3.1k points)

Is it true that chemtrails are real because the White House Office of Science and Technology is pushing ahead research on methods to mitigate global warming through methods like stratospheric aerosol injection?

1 Answer

+3 votes
by Apprentice (1.5k points)
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Best answer

While it’s true that the White House has prioritized this research, it is with the stated goal of reducing global warming and further, experts say the aerosol injection technology discussed is not currently in use. 

“Currently nobody is doing this,” said Ben Kravitz, professor of earth and atmosphere science at India University. “The amount of aerosol one would need to put in the stratosphere to noticeably change the climate is on the order of millions of tons. If someone were doing that, everyone would know.” 

Chemtrails have long been a popular idea amongst conspiracy theorists, and a recent peer-reviewed study’s results show that 76 out of 77 (98.7%) of scientists that took part in this study said there was no evidence of a SLAP (secret large-scale atmospheric program), and that the data cited as evidence could be explained through other factors, such as typical contrail formation and poor data sampling instructions presented on SLAP websites.

Misinformation

Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-white-house-research-aerosol-injection-chemtrails-110164565739

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/11/8/084011#fnref-erlaa34f6bib2

https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/legal/

by Genius (41.3k points)
This is a great fact-check. You provided a clear explanation, sources, a rating, and even a quote from an expert in the field.
by Apprentice (1.0k points)
I agree with your findings! You did a great job fact checking. You shared a good amount of background information; you shared great sources that are very reliable, and you shared how the claim is wrong and misinforming the reader.

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