Pop star Taylor Swift is facing backlash from environmentalists for her frequent use of private jets. The criticism escalated when college student Jack Sweeney tracked her flights, revealing her significant carbon footprint. Sweeney, known for tracking Elon Musk’s jet, used FAA data to report that Swift’s planes emitted 1,200 tons of CO2 in 2023, 83 times higher than the average American.
Swift’s representatives sent Sweeney a cease-and-desist letter, calling his tracking “stalking and harassing behavior.” Nature photographer Chris Packham criticized Swift for not addressing the environmental concerns directly.
The controversy coincides with a new FAA amendment allowing private aircraft owners to anonymize registration details, though Sweeney insists he can still track private jets. This debate highlights the tension between privacy for the wealthy and the public’s right to environmental information.
