How can something seem so close yet be so far from us?  This is something I often think about when I see celebrities and public figures going about their lives. We cannot escape seeing the lives of the rich and famous. Whether this is through our screens, in the tabloids, or on billboards, we consume information about celebrities on a daily basis. In reality, their lives are far removed from the average day to day we experience. Private jets and chauffeurs, expensive meals, designer clothes etc., these are not luxuries we, the general public, are accustomed to and it arguably has a larger environmental impact in comparison. So, what is the environmental cost of fame and fortune?

The Impacts

The lives of the rich and famous are setting trends of environmental impact that are becoming more and more prevalent as time passes by. Carbon emissions are the driving catalysts of climate change as excessive amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere cause the planet to heat which causes extreme weather and natural disasters. Some of the impacts caused by the rich and famous include:

• Excessive water usage even during drought warnings – Using a minimum of four times more than their monthly budget/allowance of water. Kim Kardashian and Sylvester Stallone were amongst those issued with warnings about excessive water consumption in their homes in Southern California. It has been noted that this excessive water consumption is going on aesthetics on the grounds of their homes. Monetary penalties do not mean much to these celebrities even though they are taking water away from people who need it to wash, cook, and drink.
• Private jet CO2 emissions – The highest emissions are by Taylor Swift, sitting at 8,293.54 tonnes of CO2 generated so far in 2024.This is 1,184.8 tonnes more than the average individuals annual CO2 flight emissions. Flights (commercial, private, cargo, military etc) are responsible for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. Taylor Swift has been criticised for her excessive air miles, particularly taking very short flights which could instead be replaced with a slightly longer car journey for the sake of reducing carbon emissions. For example, in January 2024, Taylor Swifts private jet flew for 13 minutes to travel only 28 miles. This could easily have been replaced by a car journey taking, on average, less than an hour.
• Superyacht CO2 emissions – Ranked as the most polluting activity for individuals. Some usages of superyachts have had their emissions calculated and in comparison, the annual output is more than some smaller countries in the world, at 22,000 tonnes.

What is being done about it?

Celebrities have been coming under fire in recent years, especially for some displays of complete disregard for the climate crisis. Whilst some continue to ignore the damage they are causing, others are making efforts to reduce their environmental impact or, at least, offset it. Some of these efforts include:

• Carbon offsetting – A fee paid instead of reducing carbon emissions, wherein carbon emissions are reduced elsewhere. A common form of carbon offsetting includes planting trees as they absorb carbon dioxide. This, most notably, has been done by Taylor Swift in response to being criticised for excessive carbon emissions through purchasing carbon credits. However, it should be noted that carbon offsetting is not a full proof solution. By the time the processes needed to offset the amount of carbon emission produced, the damage has already been done and is not so easily ‘reversible’.
• Utilising status – Arguably, sustainability is more accessible for the rich as they can afford to carry out their lives in a more sustainable way. Abusing their platforms and demonstrating excessive waste is a common issue in modern times, especially with social media influencers and YouTubers. For example, TikToker Wasil Daoud grew to fame where he posted videos wasting excessive amounts of food. Not only did this promote overconsumption to an impressionable generation, but it also has an environmental impact considering what it takes to get food to the table only to be wasted. Celebrities and public figures could be helping the environment by using their status to bring awareness to the climate crisis and donating some proceeds of their work to environmental organisations. After coming under fire, he claimed he often used expired food items, however, the premise is and was still damming.
• Sustainable practices at events – For celebrities like musicians, efforts can be made to ensure that resources used at their shows are environmentally friendly. For example, on a recent tour, Coldplay pledged to reduce their carbon emissions and to carry out sustainable practices where possible. The ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour reduced carbon emissions by 59% through using resources like dancefloors generating electricity, reducing air miles, and planting a tree for everyone in attendance to their shows. The band continue to make efforts to ensure they greatly reduce the environmental impact of their shows and should be looked up to in the industry.

This is certainly an important area of focus for the future of the environment, and the rich and famous need to be doing more to account for their contributions to the climate crisis.

Do you have any ideas on how the celebrities and public figures could live more sustainably or how they could utilise their status? Share your thoughts with us!

Thanks for reading!

Fancy some extra reading and information? Check out the sources I used:

• Just Plane Wrong: Celebs with the Worst Private Jet Co2 Emissions | Insights | Yard
• ‘Megayachts’ are environmentally indefensible. The world must ban them | Chris Armstrong | The Guardian
• Here’s the Climate Impact of the Rich and Famous | TIME
• Taylor Swift claims she offsets her travel carbon footprint – how does that work? – BBC Travel
• Kim Kardashian, Kevin Hart and Dwyane Wade are accused of water waste : NPR
• Taylor Swift’s Private Jet Flew on 13-Minute Journey to Travel 28 Miles – Newsweek
• The biggest problem with carbon offsetting is that it doesn’t really work – Greenpeace UK
• Wasil Daoud Interview: Food Influencer on Backlash Over Wasteful Trend – Business Insider
• Coldplay say they have beaten eco-touring targets – BBC News

By Madeline Polston, SGO Project Officer