As global warming continues and its causes and long-term effects have become clear, many people all over the world have made changes. The United Nations has stated that as a global population we have until 2030 before the damage sets in and becomes completely irreversible causing many companies and consumers to begin taking accountability. Whether it’s paper straws or compostable ones, recyclable packaging or reused materials, many people have taken steps towards limiting their role in harming the environment.
Brands like Patagonia, Nestle, Ikea, Ben & Jerry’s and Dove have taken steps to advocate for climate change as well as have implemented steps to tackle it within their respective companies. Ben & Jerry’s and Dove have pledged that by 2025, they will eliminate their single use plastic packaging within the UK as well as becoming carbon positive by 2030 or eliminating the use of any fossil fuels. Another brand, Patagonia, makes their clothes from organic cotton and recycled materials such as wool and nylon. The company has also pledged one percent of its sales revenue to organizations that persevere and restore the environment. Ikea has invested around $2 billion into renewable energy projects and has plans to make all its deliveries to consumers with no emissions by 2025.
However, not everyone has taken responsibility for their role in contributing to global warming and hurting the environment’s future. Myclimate Carbon Tracker, a company which uses public domain flight trackers and social media posts from the influencer/celebrity, collected emissions data from 2023 and compiled a list of people, in order, of private jet use. At the top of the list was Travis Scott, followed by Kim Kardashian, and in third Elon Musk. Kylie Jenner too appeared on the list in ninth place, unsurprisingly so as Jenner came under fire previously for taking a 17-minute flight on her private jet as it was shorter than the 45-minute drive.
Recently, courtesy of Jack Sweeney, a celebrity private jet tracker, Taylor Swift’s private jet emissions were revealed. According to Sweeney, Swift’s private jet emitted almost 78 tons of carbon dioxide between December 25th and January 30th alone. According to The Washington Post, in response to Sweeney, Swift’s team slapped him with a cease-and-desist letter threatening legal action for sharing the details on X. In an interview conducted by Vice and Austin Whitman, the CEO of The Change Climate Project, they highlighted that annually Swift produces between 8,000 and 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Meaning Swift’s carbon footprint from her jet alone was almost 2,000 times that of the global average and over 600 times that of the U.S per capitals production of about 13 tons of CO2.
Although celebrities like Taylor Swift, Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott aren’t necessarily glamorizing or sharing these numbers with their followers, other sources like Sweeney and MyClimate Carbon Tracker are. Many of these celebrities’ failures or refusal to address their carbon emissions sends a message to their followers anyway, which is that consumption, when subtle and inconspicuous, is okay no matter the possibly detrimental effects to the climate.
Although private jet emissions make up only two percent of aviation emissions, that doesn’t mean celebrities’ behavior and actions don’t have lasting and immense impacts. There is more than sufficient research and evidence to prove that celebrities play massive roles in the way people think and how they act. Whether that’s influencing what music we listen to or products we buy, celebrities and influencers shape people’s decisions. Their influence gives them the power to sway opinions and influence actions that could be potentially instrumental in the battle to help the planet. But if celebrities and influencers can’t or won’t accept climate change and climate policies, then why would the public?
