The state of our environment is steadily declining, so it’s no surprise that people have been quick to point fingers at the ultra-rich for their contributions to carbon emissions. According to the Stockholm Environment Institute, the richest 10 percent of the world accounts for about 40 percent of all global carbon emissions, so I completely understand why many are angry. However, what I don’t understand is why people are reacting as intensely as they are.
People have recently taken to social media platforms, like X and TikTok, to express their frustration with many celebrities, most recently focused on Taylor Swift. I’m not trying to dismiss the 8,000 tons of carbon emitted by Swift’s private jet in 2022 alone, but the general public’s energy could be used in more productive ways than posting rants on X that she will most definitely never see.
Instead of worrying about the actions of the ultra-rich, which are virtually out of our control, we should be focusing on methods that we can use to reduce our own negative impact on the environment. Yes, most big steps towards neutralizing your carbon emissions are complicated and expensive, but there are many cheap, simple steps that the average person can take to reduce their emissions. For example, picking one reusable water bottle and refilling it, taking public transportation when possible and eating more locally-grown foods are fantastic ways to reduce your carbon footprint without spending thousands of dollars to install solar panels. While these steps seem small, they can add up over time to make an impact. According to GreenAmerica.org, the carbon footprint of one 16.9 ounce plastic water bottle is 828 grams of carbon and the average American disposes of about 156 plastic water bottles a year. In short, you can reduce your carbon emissions by about 129.17 kilograms by simply using a reusable water bottle for a year.
So, to answer my own question, who should we really be holding accountable for the worsening condition of our planet? Ourselves. I know you don’t personally take 30-minute trips on a private jet or run a factory in the style of the Once-ler from “The Lorax,” but I think X user @sn_tv_4 put it best in their response to a post criticizing celebrities for their carbon emissions. “Meanwhile you’re sitting in clothes from major fast fashion factories which produce 100x the amount of carbon emissions compared to the ENTIRE aviation system. In theory, Taylor Swift’s contribution doesn’t even come close to the amount you contribute. Do better,” they said.
