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Air Time: 🛫🕛
According to the article, TS took 170 private jet flights since January 2022. Her average flight time was 80 minutes, with her shortest flight at 36 minutes. Just a reminder that we’re only 215 days into 2022, so there’s only been 45 days where she hasn’t flown on her private jet! Also, she is not on tour, so does she just fly to get groceries or something? Her annual private jet emissions are estimated to be 1,100 times higher than the average person’s total annual emissions.
Private Jets: 🛩️🤫
Aviation is responsible for 2.4% of human produced CO2 every year but it’s very disproportionate. 1% of people cause 50% of global aviation emissions. Basically, the super-rich hopping on private jets for super short distances. Private jets are also 5-14x more polluting than commercial planes (per passenger) and 50x more polluting than trains. Hence, there are now calls to action to limit the use of private jets, either pushing for the use of hydrogen/electric aircrafts or a ban/fuel tax on private jets.
Celebrity Worship: 💃🏻🙏
An interesting side effect on display when the article went viral was the celebrity worship. Fans rush in to defend their faves from valid criticisms and say that her jet was loaned off for others, so it can’t be all attributed to her. Or that the tabulations were not accurate. Well, is TS single-handedly responsible for climate change? Of course not, but it is a sign that the rich emit far disproportionately higher than regular working people. Celebrities have great influence on their fans but unfortunately, these celebrities emerge from the capitalist system where the values become: get rich, famous & flaunt.
The problem goes far beyond TS and private jets. Celebs, corporations and the uber-rich leaving massive carbon footprints is a worldwide trend. The wealthiest 1% emits about 70x more CO2 than the bottom 50%. Individual action is a drop in the ocean to reverse what they do. Will things change? I hope so. Till then, keep using your paper straws if that makes you feel better. 🤷🏻♂️
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