My ongoing photography series “Mostly Sunny, Partly Cloudy” explores the relationship between cirrus clouds and aviation exhaust, two seemingly disparate elements that are inextricably linked. Through analog photography I seek to capture the beauty of the sky, while also highlighting the environmental impact of air travel and emphasize the fragility of the atmosphere.
Aviation triggered cirrus clouds are created when a jet aircraft passes through the atmosphere at high altitude. As the plane moves through the air, it creates a wake of turbulence that causes the air to expand and cool. This cooler air condenses, forming cirrus clouds that can stretch for miles.
Geoengineering refers to the deliberate manipulation of the Earth's environment in order to counteract the effects of climate change or to prevent future climate change. This can include techniques such as solar radiation management, which involves reflecting a small amount of the sun's energy back into space in order to cool the Earth, and carbon dioxide removal, which involves removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in order to reduce the greenhouse effect. Geoengineering is a controversial topic, and there is ongoing debate about the potential risks and benefits of different geoengineering techniques.