Taylor Swift, the renowned pop star, has been at the center of controversy over her use of private jets. Amid criticism for the environmental impact of this mode of transportation, Swift recently downsized from two private jets to just one. Her liberal use of private jets has drawn criticism, despite her advocacy for voting rights and LGBTQ equality.

Private jets are known to be the most polluting mode of transportation, emitting a significant amount of carbon pollution. In fact, in 2022, private jets emitted as much carbon pollution as the entire country of Denmark. This has sparked concerns about the disproportionate effect of private jet travel on climate change.

Omar Ocampo, a researcher at Inequality.org, highlighted that private jets emit about 10 times more pollutants than commercial planes per passenger. He pointed out that the individuals who fly private jets are typically multimillionaires, with a median net worth between $140 million and $190 million.

In response to the environmental impact of private jet travel, two members of Congress have proposed new tax rules to make it more expensive for the jet set. This move aims to address the significant environmental consequences of private jet usage.

Despite the criticism, performers like Taylor Swift have defended their use of private jets, citing the need to cover large distances in a short time while on tour. Additionally, the privacy and security concerns of high-profile individuals have been raised as reasons for their reliance on private jets. Swift’s representatives have emphasized the star’s need for privacy and safety, citing concerns about stalkers and personal security.

While it may be challenging to eliminate all uses of private jets, the proposed tax rules seek to address the environmental impact by imposing higher costs on private jet travel. This move reflects growing efforts to mitigate the environmental consequences of luxury travel and reduce the carbon footprint associated with private jet usage.