By Steven Kee ’27
Recently, memes about Taylor Swift’s use of non-eco-friendly transport, such as helicopters and private jets, have infiltrated many social media feeds. In a video I came across, a comedian said he was waiting for Swift to leave a bodega in New York City, then showed a video of a rocket taking off. Critics often denounce Taylor Swift for her use of private jets.
However, this reliance on private jets helped to increase economic activity across the globe through her world tour, and the reality of her environmental impact may not be as severe as some may think. Though not everyone may be a fan of her music, she has undoubtedly brought some positive change, which has been possible through using private air transport.
Many may believe that Taylor Swift’s use of private jets has exacerbated climate change, but that is not entirely true. In 2022, Swift was named by the marketing agency Yard as the celebrity who produced the most CO2 emissions from air travel.
According to Euronews, her emissions in 2023 should have decreased, but the data has not been published yet. Still, even according to the 2022 numbers, her impact is not enormous. The Carbon Watch Market’s research shows that Swift’s private jet emissions produced 576 times the Average American’s. To put it in perspective, there are 330 million Americans and 7.8 billion people worldwide. The carbon emissions of an extra 576 people will not send global temperatures spiking, never mind make the world fall apart. The impact of her private jet usage is relatively minuscule on a grander scale.
Moreover, in a report by Forbes, Swift has purchased double the carbon credits necessary to offset her carbon emissions. The funds from the credits are used to fund efforts that combat deforestation. That means in addition to offsetting her carbon emissions, she offsets the emissions of 576 other Americans, which is a larger impact than what most people who are complaining about her habits can create.
Not only do her contributions to combat climate change balance out the carbon she produces, but she also goes the extra mile to protect the environment. In actuality, her actions do not have the consequences that social media portray. Instead, she has done more than needed to cover her carbon footprint, positively impacting the environment.
Taylor Swift’s impact on the environment is trumped by what she has done for state and local economies both within the U.S. and abroad. The Washington Post found that Swift generated $5.7 billion in economic activity through the U.S. phase of her Eras Tour alone. This number considers hotels, tickets, and merchandise, among other expenses. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported a notable boost in hotel revenue from her concerts.
The Common Sense Institute estimated that Swift’s tour brought $140 million to Colorado. The California Center for Jobs and the Economy estimated a $320 million boost to the Los Angeles area from her tour, all while creating 3,300 new jobs. Mike Cahoe, the Chief Economist of the Califonia Center, stated that the tour “was shot in the arm to a part of the regional economy that’s really been lagging.”
Swift’s impact has extended to global economies. Sally Capp, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Australia, estimated that Swift’s concerts in the city this month added $780 million in economic value to the area.
Swift’s economic boost is so large that some governments have warned of temporary inflation. Chan Chun Sing, the Minister of Education of Singapore, refused to grant a holiday to students to allow them to attend the concert, for he is concerned that it may further fuel inflation. Despite the inflation, the shock is temporary because hotels and other services do not keep the inflated prices year-round, so prices eventually drop.
Swift has helped revive the tourism industry after Covid-19 and continues to drive global economies on all levels, generating much-needed spending. Through ticket sales, hotel bookings, food and beverage consumption, and other purchases, the Eras Tour has significantly boosted economic activity across the board.
All this economic activity is only possible through her use of private air transport. With over 281 million followers on Instagram, over 104 million listeners on Spotify every month, and 53% of Americans identifying as Taylor Swift fans, she is undoubtedly one of the most popular musicians in the world. Flying on commercial flights is not an option due to security concerns, so the only way that Swift can efficiently and safely get to her concert venues is by private jet.
Moreover, Swift is able to hold concerts that generate hundreds of millions of dollars due to private air transportation. Her efforts to offset her carbon footprint, and how she has significantly boosted economies worldwide only further justify her use of private jets. Many often jump to conclusions to criticize her based on her use of private jets but fail to realize that she has done more than necessary to compensate for her negligible environmental pollution, while they ignore the economic benefits she has brought from flying on private transport.
