Ah, the sweet smell of self-awareness wafting through the hallowed halls of climatic orthodoxy. A new article comes from nature Titled “Private aviation’s growing contribution to climate change” Pull back the velvet curtain and expose the hypocrisy of the super rich. Oh my God, is this what it means to be rich? Literally. For years, skeptics such as Michael Crichton have pointed to glaring contradictions between the climate rhetoric of the global elite and their private jet-fueled lifestyles. Now, the same criticism has permeated the same peer-reviewed journals that once dismissed such observations as heresy.
Take off research
this nature This article explores the carbon carnage of private aviation, quantifying the annual emissions from private jets 15.6 million tons of carbon dioxide 2023. Nearly half of these flights are within 500 kilometers – essentially a sky-high Uber for billionaires – with some flying as short as 50 kilometers. In a hilarious (or infuriating) twist, many of the jets weren't even carrying passengers and were relocated empty. Efficiency, your name is not “private aviation.”
The report notes that while the carbon footprint of commercial aviation is well known, private jets occupy a particularly alarming place in the emissions hierarchy. they launch CO2 emissions per passenger are 5-9 times higher than commercial flightsdepending on whether you're traveling in economy or business class. However, despite the elite's obsession with private aviation, their addiction to private aviation remained unchecked and emissions grew 46% between 2019 and 2023.
abstract
Commercial aviation contributes increasingly to climate change, but the global role of private aviation has not yet been well quantified. Here we calculate the CO of the division2 Emissions were calculated using flight tracker data from the ADS-B exchange platform between 2019 and 2023. Union. We found that private aviation emits at least 15.6 tons of CO22 Direct emissions in 2023, or approximately 3.6 tons of CO22 per flight. Almost half of the flights (47.4%) traveled less than 500 kilometers. Private aviation is mainly concentrated in the United States, with 68.7% of aircraft registered in the United States. Flight pattern analysis confirmed widespread travel for leisure purposes as well as cultural and political events. Emissions increased by 46% between 2019 and 2023, and the industry is expected to continue to grow strongly. Regulation is needed to address the industry’s growing climate impacts.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01775-z
Where have we heard this before?
a long time ago nature decided to go all out national enquirer In the crowd at Davos, the late Michael Crichton was shouting the same nonsense. In his 2007 speech, “Aliens cause global warming” Clayton believes that environmentalism has evolved into a quasi-religion of the rich, filled with sin (carbon emissions), indulgence (carbon offsets), and a priestly class of celebrities and politicians eager to atone in public but privately But sinned. Clayton’s observation not only endures, it also becomes fact.
This hypocrisy has long been a favorite target of skeptics, and it's finally catching up with the climate clergy. Even leftist commentators are beginning to gnash their teeth at this contradiction: How can a person drive an SUV and a Gulf Stream across all continents at the same time?
Davos, Cannes and COP28: where hypocrisy thrives
this nature The article specifically pointed out that events such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Cannes Film Festival and COP28 are attractive to private jet traffic. These gatherings were not just a who's who of climate alarmists; what is what Significant carbon consumption. In 2023 alone, Davos will witness 1,559 private jet flightswhile the UN’s own climate carnival COP28 added 1,012 flights to statistics.
Interestingly: the same tail number pops up in multiple events. Planes transporting delegates to Davos also frequently fly between the Cannes Film Festival and the COP28 conference. If there is a carbon aristocrat in the world, it is this one.
What fuels this hypocrisy?
The ultra-rich's love for private jets is not just for luxury, but also for enjoyment. It's about control. Why endure the indignity of a TSA pat-down or missed connection when you can get through your own terminal without a hitch? But this convenience comes with a carbon cost, which the global elite is happy to externalize on you.
this nature The authors recommend regulating private aviation to reduce its emissions. But let’s not kid ourselves: Any such policy would likely exempt the very groups they target. The study acknowledges that focusing on CO2 emissions reductions tends to place a disproportionate burden on less affluent people. In other words, the Elite's jet won't stop, but your gas-powered car might.
The left reaps the consequences
What is particularly fascinating about this development is the way in which the left attacks itself. Climate activists now accuse their own heroes of being complicit in planetary disaster. Twitter (sorry, X) is flooded with videos shared by: down to earthan anti-aviation network, calls out celebrity CO2 offenders. Even mainstream media like this new york times People are starting to notice a clear disconnect between climate rhetoric and reality.
This is schadenfreude of the highest order: the same people who flew to COP28 to scold you for not cycling to work are now being publicly attacked by their ideological comrades.
Final approach: Will anything change?
Probably not. The super-rich will continue to jet around the world while preaching austerity to the rest of us. What will change is a growing awareness of this hypocrisy, as even climate loyalists can no longer ignore the absurdity of private jets at climate conferences.
The conclusion is clear: the climate crisis, by its very nature, is not a crisis for the elite. For everyone else, it's a crisis that needs to be managed through taxes, regulations and lifestyle restrictions. The Jets are unaffected. Until the climate faithful are willing to ground their planes, their sermons will be as hollow as the empty cargo holds of repositioning flights.
In the meantime, folks, buckle up. This phony show isn't coming out anytime soon.
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