Over the years, we’ve seen a huge increase in the normalization of conspiracy theories. I suspect that’s largely due to the internet making us all more connected, so it’s easier to find more people out there with similar beliefs.
While nothing new, there’s one particularly bizarre conspiracy theory when it comes to aviation. What’s so incredibly stupid is that we’re now seeing politicians pass laws based on something that doesn’t actually happen.
The basics of the chemtrail conspiracy theory
It’s totally normal for aircraft to leave behind contrails as they fly through the sky. These are the white lines you’ll observe behind aircraft, as they fly at high altitudes.
The explanation for these is very simple, and the scientific community is in complete agreement — they’re condensation trails, which form when hot exhaust from jets meets cold, humid air, at high altitudes. This happens all over the world, and it has been the case for decades.
However, over time, there has been an increasingly common conspiracy theory, suggesting that the government or another secretive organization is using commercial and military aircraft to release chemicals into the atmosphere, which are used for everything ranging from weather modification to mind control.
What’s the basis for this? Well, I don’t know, you guys tell me. I guess there are a bunch of “whistleblowers.” But it’s never actually someone reputable who says “yep, I was involved in this, and it’s true.” Instead, it’s like the below video, where “in 2014, my cousin sent me information given to him by a friend who is an Air Force pilot, who flies chemtrail flights.” Right…
Despite zero scientific or logical basis for this, we’ve seen many people in positions of power get behind this. For example, in August 2024, (now) Secretary of Heath and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, stated that “we are going to stop this crime,” referring to chemtrails.
These “chemtrails” can be found all over the world, so I guess all governments are in on it. Heck, even in a given country, it seems like people on both sides of the aisle choose to keep this quiet. If only we could always have such national and global cooperation, eh?
Louisiana House passes bill banning chemtrails
It’s a really sad state of affairs when governments start passing bills based on conspiracy theories, but I guess nothing really surprises me anymore. In recent times, we’ve seen several states attempt to take action to ban chemtrails.
Along those lines, by a vote of 58 to 32, the Louisiana House of Representatives has just passed a bill that bans chemtrails. The measure directs the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to record reported chemtrail sightings, and pass those complaints on to the Louisiana Air National Guard.
The bill’s language “prohibits the introduction of substances into the atmosphere for the express purpose of modifying weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight.” There are no penalties for violations, but the idea is that reports will lead to further investigation and documentation.
In other words, this bill essentially creates a framework for people to report to the government when they see airplanes in the sky, and for that to be investigated. One of the politicians behind this bill, Kimberly Landry Coates, was asked what she believes can be found in these chemtrails, and her answer was “there’s some long words that I can’t pronounce.”
Bottom line
There are things that reasonable people can disagree on… and I’d argue that the reality of contrails isn’t among those. The fact that we’re now seeing state governments try to pass laws based on chemtrail conspiracy theories is just sad. If the governor of Louisiana signs this isn’t law, citizens will soon be able to report to the government that they see planes in the sky.
