The world loves Taylor Swift. But does she love it back? Looking at her carbon footprint, the answer is clear: no. For all the good she does for her fans and employees, she does just as much harm to the environment. 

Swift is the largest celebrity CO2 polluter. In the past year, Taylor has produced 8,293 metric tons of carbon dioxide. This is 2,073 times more than the average person’s CO2 emissions per year. Although fans are enthusiastic about Swift and Kelce’s relationship, some fans are appalled to find out what their relationship is doing to our earth. Taylor has reportedly emitted 138 carbon tons into our atmosphere from flying back and forth from Kelce’s house in Kansas City and her studio in Los Angeles. 

Fans are split. Some defend the singer, while others are furious. Taylor has not yet spoken out. One fan wrote on X, “So apparently Taylor Swift has racked up the most CO2 emissions of any celebrity by using her private jet and has taken 170 trips this year alone. Girl, you’re making it harder and harder for me to defend you.” However, some loyal fans have come rushing to her defense, arguing weakly, “So you want pilots to not have a job?” and “Taylor Swift has expressed her love for penguins on multiple occasions and donates every year to their cause.”

In the midst of this uproar, Taylor’s editor responded by saying, “Taylor loans her jets out often, so attributing all of these flights to her would be blatantly incorrect.”. While Taylor’s team thought that would smooth things over, many people believe Taylor should be responsible for the flights that she loaned. 

Swift could be using her platform. She could encourage her fans; we know from experience that her loyal Swifties will listen. Even a small comment could do a world of good. 

Works Cited

Clark, Meridith. “Fans Are Divided over Taylor Swift’s Private Jet Usage.” The Independent, 2 Aug. 2022, www.independent.co.uk/life-style/taylor-swift-private-jet-fan-reactions-b2136147.html.

Culture, Billie Schwab Dunn Pop, and Entertainment Reporter. “Taylor Swift Is Coming under Fire.” Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2023, www.newsweek.com/taylor-swift-coming-under-fire-co2-emissions-1854856#:~:text=Swift. Accessed 12 Jan. 2024.

Peters, Mitchell, and Mitchell Peters. “Taylor Swift Tops List of Celebs with Highest Private Jet Carbon Emissions: Study.” Billboard, 30 July 2022, www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-private-jet-carbon-dioxide-emissions-study-1235120514/.

Prakash, Nives Dolsak and Aseem. “Taylor Swift and Climate Change: Is the Youth “Shaking Off” or Embracing Carbon-Intensive Lifestyles?” Forbes, www.forbes.com/sites/prakashdolsak/2023/08/02/taylor-swift-and-climate-change-is-the-youth-shaking-off-or-embracing-carbon-intensive-lifestyles/.