Nature's trail attracts new followers

People from all walks of life become climate change investigators.

Hundreds of people across England have turned their eyes to the skies, all in the cause of science. In a groundbreaking survey organised by the LWEC-accredited Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) initiative, they’ve recorded when and where they’ve seen contrails – the condensation trails of ice crystals created by jet planes flying at high altitudes.

Like other OPAL surveys, this has generated a mass of potentially valuable data.

“Because they trap infra-red radiation, contrails contribute to climate change”, says Dr Geoff Jenkins of the Royal Meteorological Society, who managed the survey. “We hope our findings help scientists develop a better understanding of the problem and its impact.”

Supported by the Big Lottery Fund and involving a consortium of universities and other partners, OPAL is inspiring people from all walks of life to look at the environment with fresh eyes. Focusing on climate change, biodiversity and environmental degradation, local, regional and national surveys are shedding light on issues ranging from water quality to air pollution. The Bug Count, for instance, will help scientists map the distribution of invertebrates and understand how the urban environment affects them.

With 50% of funding spent on research and 50% on involving the public, OPAL really is breaking new ground. Nearly 30,000 individual surveys have already been submitted and the 2000 schools taking part are seeing students fired with enthusiasm for science.

“We’re bringing science and society together”, says OPAL’s Director, Dr Linda Davies of Imperial College London. “People want to do their bit for the environment, but need to know their contribution will make a difference. OPAL is making that happen.” 

If you have found this story interesting, you may also like to read about the UK Environmental Obseervation Framework's initiative on citizen science.