Taylor Swift has also consistently used her wealth and influence to make a positive impact on the lives of her fans, workers and peers. Some examples include paying off fans’ student loans, donating to sick families and individuals suffering through economic hardships, providing significant financial support for local food pantries, lending aid following natural disasters and giving massive bonuses for her truck drivers. Swift is also widely credited for encouraging approximately 35,000 Americans to register to vote in a single day following a post made to Instagram by the artist. As such, fans look to Swift not only as an artist but also as a role model.

However, in 2024, an increasing amount of attention has been focused on whether or not Taylor Swift’s private jet usage is ethical, dividing and conflicting fans. The controversy stems from the environmental impact of private jets, which contribute to climate change through the release of CO2 emissions. While all flights are collectively responsible for the release of more carbon emissions than any other form of travel, flights in private jets are five to 15 times more polluting than flights taken via commercial aircraft. A private jet is capable of emitting two tons of CO2 in just an hour. For context, the average person emits about 16 tons of CO2 in an entire year, equivalent to just eight hours in a private jet by the previous figure. 

In 2023, Taylor Swift utilized her two private jets, a Dassault 7X and a Dassault 900, to keep up with a demanding tour schedule. Jack Sweeney, a college student at the University of Central Florida who previously angered Elon Musk by tracking his private jet usage, began releasing similar information regarding Taylor Swift on the popular social media platform, X (previously known as Twitter). Elon Musk has since banned Sweeny’s account for exposing what Musk referred to as “assassination coordinates.”

According to the data collected from Sweeny’s private jet tracker, Taylor Swift flew approximately 178,000 miles in 2023, resulting in an estimated 1,200 tons of CO2 emissions. This included a 34-minute flight from Hollywood to Las Vegas and what Sweeney suggests are likely “maintenance flights” such as one 8-minute flight from Missouri to Illinois that Google Maps estimates would take 21 minutes by car. Swift’s representatives have noted that the artist is likely not in the aircraft during the shorter flights that have been a point of mockery on social media platforms. Representatives have also noted that at least one of the jets is regularly loaned out to other individuals.

Taylor Swift’s legal team has since threatened legal action against the UCF student, stating that they would have no choice but to pursue “any and all legal remedies” if this were to continue. Sweeny received a cease and desist letter in which Swift’s attorney, Katie Wright Morrone, claimed that his behavior was “threatening” and could only be attributed to intent to “stalk, harass, and exert dominion and control.” Further, Morrone argued that there was “no legitimate interest in or public need for this information.” Sweeny’s attorneys maintain that the student has done nothing unlawful, and Sweeny stated that he believes in the importance of transparency and public information.

In compiling my research, I decided to poll students at William Jewell College to learn how Taylor Swift’s private jet usage impacts their perception of the artist. Of the 34 students who completed my anonymous survey, 76.5% answered that they view Taylor Swift in a more negative light because of her private jet usage. Additionally, 32.4% of students answered that they felt less inclined to listen to Swift’s music, and 47.1% answered that they were less likely to purchase merchandise and concert tickets from the artist.

The remaining percentages  (23.5%, 67.6%, and 47.1% retrospectively) consist of students who stated Taylor Swift’s private jet usage did not change their perception of the artist one way or another for reasons such as little interest to begin with or an already negative perception. Also included are students who were unbothered by the private jet usage altogether. In the survey, no student stated that they viewed Taylor Swift in a more positive light after learning about her private jet usage. Likewise, no student stated that they would be more likely to listen to her music, purchase merchandise or attend her concerts after learning of her private jet usage. 

When interviewed directly on potential solutions, students suggested a variety of options to explore. Proposals ranged from systemic approaches such as higher taxes on luxury aircraft, investing in renewable energy and exploring net zero carbon solutions, to more direct approaches such as decreasing her entourage on flights by hiring local artists, minimizing usage by planning geographically efficient tours, and reducing usage altogether, especially when traveling locally for tour dates within the same region. 

While some suggested that traveling first class would be sufficient or that no change is necessary at this time, many who expressed concern suggested that private travel itself is not the issue and is a reasonable choice on account of the safety risks celebrities face. However, students highlighted factors such as abuse of privilege, perceived carelessness and a general lack of transparency as reasons for their frustration. Swift’s use of her private jet to attend the Super Bowl was cited as a primary example regarding abuse of privilege and perceived carelessness. 

One of Swift’s two luxury aircraft, her Dassault 900, appears to have been sold or transferred as of Jan. 30, 2024, according to Business Insider. Taylor Swift’s team has since continued to do damage control by releasing statements regarding her private jets. As of the time of this writing, no direct statements have been made by the artist herself based on the information available to The Hilltop Monitor. 

Taylor Swift has an overwhelmingly positive track record with appeasing fans and using yielding power to help spread positive change. Currently, Swift faces the challenging task of regaining support by finding innovative solutions to an important matter that impacts everyone she shares the planet with. A commitment to sustainability would provide a chance to regain trust amongst fans and act as an example for public figures around the world.

Let’s talk about environmental sustainability. First, what does it mean? You have probably heard “reduce, reuse, and recycle,” but while this common phrase lists three essential steps every person should take to help save the environment, sustainability is so much more.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines sustainability as “the ability to meet the needs of the present without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Except for when absolutely necessary, we must eliminate our use of non-replenishable resources to prevent further irreparable damage to the environment. For almost everyone, limiting resources will require a drastic and daunting change in lifestyle.

Even those passionate about sustainable living, like me, feel hopeless and overwhelmed when facing this task. Other reasons that can keep people from practicing sustainability are being comfortable in their current lifestyle, the seemingly more expensive price tags, and not knowing where to start.

Despite any obstacles, everyone can and must become more environmentally sustainable. The best way is just to jump in. Of course, transitioning to a new lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight; you have to focus on one change at a time. Otherwise, you will likely find yourself burnt out and making no progress at all. You also must be patient with yourself throughout this transition. Research suggests that it takes no less than 18 but an average of 60 days for a person to form a new habit. In the long run, this is a very short time frame; that’s an average of 6 new habits every year!

It is important to remember that you will make mistakes throughout this process, but it is never a reason to give up. When you choose to be sustainable, you make a difference in the world. Being more sustainable takes work but can be simple and rewarding. The changes I suggest are inexpensive and realistic for people with tight schedules and tighter budgets. In fact, many of my suggestions will save you time and money in the long run. Most importantly, you will conserve natural resources, prevent pollution, improve health worldwide and minimize future environmental destruction.

#1. Reduce your carbon footprint

According to the EPA, a person’s carbon footprint is “The total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere each year by a person.” Global warming is closely related to the carbon footprint as it releases these greenhouse gases that cause heat to be trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere.

As carbon emissions vary per person depending on daily and yearly routines, it can be valuable to learn how much you can improve by estimating your current footprint. Wren’s carbon footprint calculator is a great way to estimate your greenhouse emissions for free without any commitment when you answer simple questions about gasoline usage, meat consumption and more.

After taking their quiz, the report you receive from Wren gives you a numerical value describing your carbon footprint, compares you to averages around the world and puts it into context with statements like “[Your carbon footprint is] equal to 3 trees being cut down.” It also describes how fast the world’s temperature would rise if everyone’s footprint matched yours and relates that to “our current trajectory.”

Arguably the most important information in the report is a bar graph describing which emission categories you most need to improve. Using this graph, you can select a category to improve and research ways to decrease your associated emissions. For example, I am reducing my footprint by focusing on fuel consumption. Actions I am taking include moving closer to campus, walking when I might have previously chosen to drive, and carpooling when the option is available. Another idea is to eat vegan at least once or twice a week.

#2. Change your shopping habits

When shopping online, it is important to be careful to order from stores that offset their carbon emissions from shipping products. Many popular stores, like Amazon, have signed a Climate Pledge but have not yet made any substantial changes. Although a store may claim to be sustainable, it may not always be accurate and it is important to do your own research.

Another way to shop sustainably is to find stores that primarily sell environmentally sustainable products. Stores like Earth Hero, EcoRoots and Etee are all great places to start.

Clothing shops are another easy way to be more sustainable. An easy rule to remember is that if you are buying new clothes that are surprisingly cheap, it is likely too good to be true. These clothes are probably fast fashion items: made from weak materials meant to be worn only once or twice and were likely made using environmentally and socially unethical methods. Besides being a waste of money, fast fashion is bad for the environment. Textbook examples of fast fashion are Romwe and Shein, although many other brands are no better.

Good On You, available in mobile app stores, is a great resource to determine whether a clothing brand deserves to be purchased. This app ranks different clothing brands based on ethics and recommends sustainable alternatives for poorly rated products.

One of the most sustainable options for clothes shopping is thrifting. Savers, Plato’s Closet, and Hillcrest Hope are local options. If you don’t find what you are looking for there, try thredUp: an online thrift clothing store.

#3. Switch to solid soaps

The liquids you buy, like laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo and conditioner, typically contain more water and other solvents than the cleansing material itself. For these products, you tend to pay more for the packaging than the soap, which is difficult to recycle and results in plastic pollution. 

Solid or powdered soaps tend to be cheaper and more concentrated per unit, so you pay less and use less. They are also often packaged in easy-to-recycle paper materials. If you need help finding solid soap options, plenty of Etsy shops sell them. They are also available on Earth Hero and Eco Roots.

#4. Limit your plastic use

One of the most crucial environmental changes is reducing the amount of plastic you use. Plastic has become so heavily integrated into our lives that we have to make a conscious effort not to use it whenever possible. Unfortunately, recycling plastics is no longer enough, as very few plastics are recyclable. Below are a few simple ways that you can begin to limit your plastic use:

• When you must use plastic containers, wash them and reuse them for storing food, watering or potting plants and for arts and crafts before tossing them.

• Use metal silverware and clear cups instead of plastic sets and styrofoam cups in the Caf, especially when you get a Green Box. When finished, you can store the silverware and cup in the box, then return them in the Green Box bin.

• Save convenience store cups to be reused. Places like QuickTrip offer a discount when you refill your own cup from your last visit. 

• Use natural loofahs instead of plastic sponges and loofahs for the kitchen and bathroom. When you use hot water on plastic, tons of microplastics are released into water sources that harm the ecosystems they go on to supply. Natural loofahs are plastic-free, last much longer, are easily grown and harvested and can be sterilized in hot water. When you are done using them, they will decompose instead of pollute.