Some celebrities have a devastating impact on the Earth’s climate; others fight hard to protect it. Most celebrities emit more CO2 emissions in a couple of months than an average person does in years. Along with private jet emissions, celebrities also contribute a lot of heavy consumerism. Due to their wealth and fame, many of these celebrities get away with contributing to climate change without consequence.
Since the Eras Tour began in March, Taylor Swift created some public outrage from environmentalists. Swift’s private jet took around 103 flights between March and August, releasing tons of CO2 emissions. With over 166 hours in the air, Taylor Swift emitted more carbon emissions in a few months than multiple people do in a year. In recent events, Swift has been faced with backlash from polluting 138 tons of CO2 emissions in a brief time period to see her new boyfriend– Travis Kelce.
“To offset green environmental effects of her frequent flying, Swift would need to plant more than 2,200 trees, which would require approximately a decade to mature.” Daily Mail said.
Along with Swift, the Kardashians and Jenners have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to customize their private jets. John Travolta, specifically, has been reported to have a fleet of his own planes. A lot of celebrity’s clap back at negative environmental comments by claiming they allow friends to use their jets, so they are not directly contributing to the use.
“Taylor’s jet is loaned out regularly to other individuals. To attribute most or all of these trips to her is blatantly incorrect,” a representative for Taylor Swift said in an interview to Rolling Stones Magazine.
A lot of celebrities also present the argument of their safety. High-end celebrities take their own private jets to shows and other events because being with the general public could pose a threat to their safety. Along with safety, celebrities travel a lot more than the average person so it would make sense for them to use their own form of transportation. However, the issue is that celebrities tend to take short 20-30 minute airplane flights instead of riding in cars, buses, or other forms of transport.
In an article published by Yard Digital, Sustainability Director, Chris Butterworth, said, “It’s easy to get lost in the dazzling lives of the rich and famous, but unfortunately, they’re a massive part of the CO2e problem we have with the aviation industry.”
Many celebrities have faced climate change scandals, including Kim Kardashin who used climate change as a marketing tactic to sell a Skims Nipple Bra, and Aubrey Plaza for promoting dairy milk by mocking plant-based milks. Environmental group Greenpeace lashed out at Kardashian soon after her ad was aired for being insensitive to a very real issue .
A recent post from environmental advocacy group, Greenpeace, stated “Using melting glaciers and rising sea levels as a punchline to improve your profit margins makes a mockery of an issue that is devastating millions of people’s lives.”
Despite the ongoing contribution of pollution from private jets, Billie Eilish made a large environmental impact in the past year. Eilish used solar-powered ‘zero-emissions battery systems’ to run her Lollapalooza set. In a partnership with REVERB, an environmental non-profit, Eilish raised 116,000 for multiple different pro-climate organizations during her tour. On top of that, Eilish and her brother Finneas, started a collaboration with a well-known vegan restaurateur to open a new all vegan restaurant. The restaurant, Argento, is an Italian based restaurant that serves only vegan food.
Science Teacher and Environmental Club adviser Carrie Wagar feels celebrities should acknowledge their position as role models for others. “They are in a position to be environmental activists and should set a strong example for others and not fly their jets all over the world,” Wagar said.
Celebrities from music artists to actors all over the world over utilize their wealth and fame. Instead of driving a car to the grocery store or facetime with their long-distance boyfriend, many celebrities contribute to climate change in many ways. Whether it be for safety reasons or emergency flights to another country, celebrities are starting to be held more accountable for their CO2 emissions and climate scandals.
