BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Representative Kimberly Landry Coates recently addressed fellow lawmakers with a proposal she acknowledged might seem odd or unbelievable. As she introduced the bill, she discussed concerns often associated with the “chemtrail” conspiracy theory, which suggests that the vapor trails left by aircraft are chemical releases with potentially harmful intentions. Coates urged her colleagues to consider prohibiting such activities, emphasizing the need for vigilance about what’s happening above.
“This is a matter that deeply concerns me, and as residents of Louisiana, we did not sanction these actions occurring above us,” Coates, a Republican, expressed during the legislative session.
Louisiana joins a list of states adopting legislation inspired by conspiracy theories intertwined with factual components. In recent history, similar measures have been enacted in Tennessee, with the governor inking it into law, and another sees progress in Florida. Other states, from New York to Arizona, are considering similar legislative moves.
Such legislative developments highlight the increasing influence of misinformation transitioning from digital realms to policy-making stages. Experts argue that proposing laws based on unverified claims undermines democratic structures, lends unwarranted legitimacy, and can detract from genuine issues requiring legislative focus.
“These types of bills may seem symbolic or aimed at satisfying a vocal minority, but they still inflict damage by suggesting these conspiracies merit legislative consideration,” stated Donnell Probst, interim executive director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education.
The Louisiana bill currently awaits the signature of Republican Governor Jeff Landry. It explicitly aims to prevent the deliberate dispersion of chemicals to affect weather patterns, climate, or sunlight intensity. Moreover, the legislation mandates that the Department of Environmental Quality collect observational reports from citizens.
While some lawmakers direct their focus on legitimate, albeit nascent, weather modification practices, others rely on questionable proof for legislative support. Such discussions have gained attention thanks to prominent political figures like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Recently, former President Donald Trump’s ex-wife, Marla Maples, showed support for Florida’s version of the legislation, citing concerns over rising Alzheimer’s cases. In a jest, a Democratic senator queried her connections for federal intervention, to which Maples responded with a knowing smile, “I sure do.”
Explanations about Contrails vs. Chemtrails
Contrary to the claims associated with chemtrail conspiracy theories, which have largely been debunked, the condensation trails – or contrails – behind airplanes are primarily composed of water. These occur when high-altitude conditions lead aircraft exhaust to condense into ice crystals. Ken Leppert, an atmospheric science associate professor, assured that these formations lack any malicious intent, paralleling similar phenomena observed with ship engines.
Government agencies like NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency have published data confirming that contrails pose no health risks to humans. However, their presence can influence cloud cover, impacting atmospheric conditions and temperature. A 2016 survey affirmed that most scientists find other rational explanations for alleged chemtrail evidence, citing airplane exhaust and natural atmospheric conditions as factors.
The Science of Cloud Seeding
Many misunderstandings about chemtrails involve conflating with legitimate scientific processes like cloud seeding, which introduces substances like silver iodide to induce precipitation. Although not widely implemented in Louisiana, due to the volume of natural rainfall, the process offers marginal weather control without the capability of large-scale weather alteration. California-based Rainmaker, a cloud seeding company, recently advocated for legislative amendments to protect their operations in a hearing before Louisiana lawmakers.
Geoengineering Efforts
During the legislative presentation, Coates referenced materials from NOAA regarding potential geoengineering techniques, like solar radiation management (SRM). This approach seeks to cool Earth by reflecting sunlight and is still under exploration without any deployment thus far. Reports like the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, tasked with developing a research plan, remain in the research phase.
Misinformation’s Place in Policy
In Louisiana, the rise of conspiracy narratives has increasingly found a venue within legislative debates, presenting both an opportunity and distraction. Critics argue that time and energy diverted to debating unsubstantiated theories detract from addressing pressing issues, such as crime, poverty, and health challenges.
“We have significant challenges in Louisiana, and our priority should be tackling real issues rather than discussing phenomena without a basis in reality,” said State Rep. Denise Marcelle, a Democrat who opposed the bill.