Who doesn’t know Taylor Swift? A global pop star who was popular for her song ‘Blank Space’ and descriptive lyrics. Surely, as a well-known artist Ms. Swift has never left the public spotlight. Every move that she made will always be a story for the media. However, as a celebrated singer whose fans are on almost every part of this planet, Ms. Swift has not only given us her cultural influences but also tons of Carbon Footprints. With her Swifties found all over the place, especially the internet, this issue has never lasted long. Last year, Taylor Swift was also at the top of the list for the most polluting celebrities, well this must be an award for her too alongside with her grammys trophy. However, this is not only a mistake of the policy maker but also the narratives of the media.
Throughout the year, we are always given devastating news about climate change. Many activists around the world are trying to fight for an effective policy to at least slow down this global scale catastrophe. From switching to a greener lifestyle, recycling, to banning plastic bags, a lot of minor changes and education has been spread to the public, but it seems it doesn't get any better. The temperature is rising and the flowers in the arctic have started to bloom. This is proof that climate change is happening right here and right now, it is even faster than scientists have ever predicted. We could see that the global policy makers and the government have failed at making a commitment to save our home. Meanwhile, we as civilians are gaslighted that all of this is happening because we’re using plastic straws. It’s not that our minor changes are unnecessary, but it seems that we need bigger commitment and effective policy if we truly want to stop climate change.
Research has been made that humans will act not by numbers but by narratives. supposedly, if we are given numbers that are already high and seem impossible to decrease, we are most likely to resent our nihilistic self - all things must die in the end - but by giving solutions and asking for participation, we will most likely act upon it. Media will always be the government's best friend. The way we narrate the fact that Taylor Swift keeps on ruining the earth by contributing tons of carbon footprints, is like we are giving her excuses for the things she’s done. We kept using the words ‘celebrities’ ‘pop stars’ ‘artist’ as if she was living somewhere else and kept on validating her action because ‘it is too crazy to imagine her using commercial airlines’. But why not? Another artist such Coldplay has shown their solidarity with the world by using commercial airlines for most of their travel during their tour. If we are talking about privacy, pretty sure Ms. Swift could afford the best bodyguard and buy the highest class in that plane. Another, unacceptable reason is that she abuses her buying power to provide things that are supposedly unnecessary, such as using her private jets to meet with her boyfriend. That excuse is not only selfish but shallow as well. With the development of the internet and technology, pretty sure Ms. Swift could afford the latest Iphone and the best providers in order to face-time her lover. The truth is that Taylor Swift is the same civilians as us who will also face the consequences and horror of climate change anytime now. And there is no escaping because we all live in the same home that we called earth.
Taylor Swift is a great artist with so much potential, but we can not keep on defending her actions just because she has millions of fans. In the end we have to be critical with everythings and point out which one is wrong and which one is right, not only towards Taylor but also other so called 'celebrities'. Surely, Ms. Swift will be concerned about her public perception of her and if we don’t take this matter seriously then she will not be bothered about it. The same thing with the policy maker and the government. Because in the end it is us not only about Taylor Swift and her private jets, but it is also about us, civilians, that should start to speak up about this issue so that it can be delivered to them.
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