New EPA Online Resources Clarify Science Behind Contrails and Geoengineering

Two new public web pages address common questions, misconceptions, and scientific concerns related to high-altitude emissions and climate intervention techniques.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• Jul 11, 2025

The EPA released new online resources to address public questions and concerns about two topics: geoengineering and contrails.  

EPA created these new online resources to communicate everything the agency knows about the latest science, research, and other information regarding contrails and geoengineering. EPA is committed to total transparency with the American public on these topics.

“Americans have legitimate questions about contrails and geoengineering, and they deserve straight answers,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "We’re publishing everything EPA knows about these topics on these websites.”

EPA’s new online resource on condensation trails, or “contrails,” explains the science behind the aerial phenomenon and addresses myths and misconceptions that have persisted for decades. The new webpage also addresses head-on various claims that these occurrences are an intentional release of dangerous chemicals or biological agents at high altitudes for a variety of nefarious purposes, including population control, mind control, or attempts to geoengineer Earth or modify the weather.

EPA also created a new online resource focused specifically on solar geoengineering activities, which involve cooling the Earth by reflecting sunlight to space, usually through injecting gases, like sulfur dioxide, into the upper atmosphere where they form reflective particles.

"EPA shares the significant reservations many Americans have when it comes to geoengineering activities,” Administrator Zeldin said.

The resource delves into the current state of science and research surrounding geoengineering, including the potentially negative impacts it could have on the environment and human health, including depleting the ozone layer, harming crops, altering weather patterns, and creating acid rain.

EPA's new resource also details what EPA has done to identify and track private actors potentially engaged in such activities. Additionally, the online resource discusses weather modification and cloud seeding, and related federal and state government actions.

Access the EPA’s new Geoengineering and Information on Contrails from Aircraft online resources.