Ultra-rich using jets like taxis, climate scientists warn

[TaylorSwift 162,660]

The mega-rich are using private jets like taxis, warn climate scientists who tracked flights to calculate the planet-warming gases they release.

The scientists worked out that the carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to climate change, rose by 46% between 2019 and 2023.

Last year, ultra-rich jet owners – including the likes of pop star Taylor Swift and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos – flew for almost 26,000 hours over 4,301,561 individual flights.

However, the researchers argue that a sizeable amount of these journeys could have been made by car or other means of transport.

Almost half (47.4%) the private jet flights made in 2023 covered less than 310 miles (500km), while almost 5 per cent travelled less than 31 miles (50km).

Flying in a private jet for a single hour can release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than the average person produces in a year, according to the research team.

“There are a lot of people using these aircraft as taxis, where you cover whatever distance by aircraft simply because it's more convenient,” Professor Stefan Gossling, from Sweden's Linnaeus University, who led the research, said.

“If somebody’s flight emits in one hour as much as an average human being emits in a year - just to watch a soccer game - then perhaps it shows those people think they are outside the standards that we have as a global community.”

In 2023, private flights produced an estimated 15.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide - the equivalent of 3.7 million petrol cars being driven over the course of a year - according to the research.

People who fly in private jets are typically among the richest in the world, sometimes referred to as “ultra-high-net-worth” individuals.

The group is estimated to comprise about 256,000 people, 0.003% of the global adult population, each owning an average of $123m, according to the scientists.

One travelled by private jet 169 times in 2023, emitting an estimated 2,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide - the equivalent of driving 571 petrol cars throughout the year. The scientists chose not to name individuals, making clear they did not wish to point the finger at any one person.

The team also discovered 291 private planes landed in the United Arab Emirates at the time of the UN climate conference in Dubai, in 2023, generating 1,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

source

[Rahrahbitchson 23,366]

Get her off the sky ASAP!! She not only f*cking us sonically with all these variants but our air too. 

[SpadesToStart 3,810]

Unless it’s being bought by a public scheduled air carrier, jet fuel should be taxed at an exorbitant amount as a deterrent.

[Siena 6,412]

Whenever I see headlines like this I remember the time my uncle flew first class w Gaga when she was traveling incognito lol I understand why celebrities don't regularly do this, but it can be done. 

 

Edit: This was in 2015 btw 

[Guest]

Private jets with carbon emissions should be forbidden unless for governments or national security reasons imo I don't get the argument "they can't fly commercial". If it is so impossible why don't they invest in green fuels and create a carbon-free alternative for their private jetting? It would take a small portion of their wealth to invest in e-fuels. It may not be profitable for widespread use but billionares could easily afford it. But they don't give a damn about the planet because they are not restricted in doing it

[River 127,751]

All those who voted Trump secretly

[GoldenPonyboy 2,434]

And here i am, biking to work everyday with my lunch in a reusable container and reusable water bottle and still have to drink my smoothie with a disintegrating paper straw