Conspiracy theories about so-called chemtrails claim that they are chemical or biological substances released by governments to control the weather or harm the population. The idea began to spread in 1996when some conspirators misinterpreted US Air Force research material on weather modification. Since then, it has been strengthened by social networks and a selected media scene. Because people look for relief from an overly complex world in conspiracy theories.
According to communications expert Calum Lister Matheson, this theory is a textbook example of how conspiracies work. They have a large community on social media, especially on the X platform, and are strongly supported by some conservative commentators. For example, Tucker Carlson recently gave space to activist Dan Wigington. The idea also has support among some American politicians – Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly advocated it, and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a proposal to ban chemical weather control.
However, experts reject chemtrails. Scientist David Keith has published a clear opinion, and other sources, such as contrailscience.com, explain in detail that these are common contrails formed by ice crystals. According to psychologist Rob Brotherton, the theory has the structure of chance because any evidence against it is confirmation of the alleged cover-up by its supporters. This makes it unfalsifiable, which is a fundamental problem. Conspiracies also defy the principle of simplicity: it is less likely that millions of people around the world are secretly collaborating on a chemical program than that this is a natural phenomenon.
Calum Lister Matheson also recalls Carl Sagan’s statement that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, which in this case does not exist. So why does the theory stick? According to Matheson, conspiracies provide relief to people in a world full of uncertainty. They help create a sense of control and strengthen the cohesion of a group that believes it sees the hidden truth. In an uncertain and chaotic world, the idea of a malevolent plan can be less frightening than the reality of coincidences and natural disasters.
