Getting planes to fly just 610 meters lower could cut the climate impact of the areas they fly over by a whopping 59 percent.
The researchers suggest that simply reducing the altitude of a handful of planes around the world could help reduce climate change somewhat.
Even research shows only about 2% of flights will need to be adjusted.
These white streaks usually appear when the aircraft is flying at a certain altitude (from about 10,000 meters or more).
Contrails occur when hot exhaust gases from an aircraft encounter cold, low-pressure air in the atmosphere. Moisture condenses in the smoke to form ice particles that we see as white streaks in the sky.
White streaks in the sky created by aircraft often appear when the aircraft is flying at a certain altitude (from about 10,000 meters or more). The hot, humid air discharged from the aircraft’s engine will meet the cold air overhead with very low temperature and steam pressure (the temperature can drop below -50 degrees Celsius).
This temperature difference will cause the water vapor in the engine exhaust to condense and freeze, and according to the flight path to form a long, sine-shaped white cloud trail.
“According to our research, changing the altitude of a small number of flights can significantly reduce the climate impact of aviation problems. This new method can quickly reduce the impact of aviation problems. A small percentage of flights are responsible for the majority of climate impacts, meaning we can focus our attention on them,” said researcher Marc Stettler, from the aviation industry. Royal College in England said.
The researchers analyzed data from Japanese airspace over the course of six weeks. The data show that climate reductions in the border region of up to 59% are achievable.
Some additional fuel will be consumed along the way, but this will be offset by reducing condensate formation and the warming it generates.
The researchers also add that widespread adoption of cleaner jet fuels for altitude adjustments and the provision’s contribution to climate change could be reduced by up to 90%. However, with so many variables further research on a broader data set would be required to know for sure.