Decades-old and long-debunked myths about so-called chemtrails have become a central part of a wild conspiracy theory that falsely asserts the US government used non-existent weather manipulation technology to create the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
As myths about Milton and Helene spread, interest in chemtrails increased too on Google search and social media. Chemtrail conspiracy theorists falsely believe condensation trails (known as contrails) left behind by aircraft in the sky are full of toxic chemicals spread by the government to control the weather or control people's minds.
In reality, scientists say contrails appear when water vapor condenses and freezes around the exhaust from an aircraft.
The virality the conspiracy theory has achieved online in the last couple of weeks has never been seen before and is a cause for concern, climate and weather experts tell CNN.
Read more at the link in @cnnclimate's bio.
📷: Taro Hama @ e-kamakura/Moment RF/Getty Images
Low‑carbon construction materials that once featured only in research pilots are now being deployed across major European projects, signalling a tangible shift towards sustainable building design and environmental sustainability in construction. The European Patent Office refurbishment in Vienna integrates Holcim’s ECOPact concrete and ECOCycle® technologies to minimise embodied carbon while demonstrating architectural excellence. The project exemplifies the practical application of whole life carbon assessment and lifecycle assessment, setting a benchmark for net zero carbon buildings and low carbon design across Europe.
In the UK, construction supply chains are increasingly defined by circular economy principles and resource efficiency in construction. Record renewable energy generation is enabling low carbon building sites powered by cleaner electricity, and the emergence of electric maintenance fleets underscores the shift to carbon neutral construction. The economic rationale for decarbonising the built environment is reinforced by a recent study linking reduced emissions to a measurable “clean air dividend” that enhances life cycle cost outcomes for both public health and infrastructure investment.
Financial institutions are embedding climate risk into portfolio management, with pension funds pressing developers to disclose embodied carbon in materials and adopt environmental product declarations (EPDs). This growing demand for transparency is driving sustainable building practices aligned with BREEAM and emerging criteria under BREEAM V7. The Duchy of Cornwall’s move to verify regenerative farming practices points to tighter integration between land management and construction supply chains, connecting healthy soils with lower embodied carbon concrete and renewable building materials that support a circular economy in construction.
The trend is decisive: sustainability has evolved from a narrative into an operational standard defining net zero whole life carbon strategies, green construction performance, and end‑of‑life reuse in construction. Replicating proven models such as Vienna’s will determine how rapidly the built environment achieves coherent, large‑scale transformation toward eco‑friendly construction and measurable carbon footprint reduction.
Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do
get in touch.
Let's chat!
WLC Assistant
Ask me about sustainability
Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?
