Super Bowl's environmental impact: A look at private jet emissions

Activists are highlighting the environmental concerns surrounding the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, focusing on the influx of private jets and their significant carbon emissions.

Gerald Narciso reports for The New York Times.


In short:

  • The Super Bowl in Las Vegas is expected to attract around 1,000 private planes, raising concerns about increased greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Benjamin Leffel, a sustainability expert, notes that events like this can double the city's daily emissions due to air traffic and energy use.
  • The issue of private jet emissions is part of a broader environmental challenge, with Las Vegas already grappling with energy, heat, and drought problems.

Key quote:

"The emissions levels of a mega-event like this from air traffic, and the energy use is at least double in a day than it would be on average."

— Benjamin Leffel, assistant professor of public policy sustainability, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Why this matters:

The Super Bowl's environmental impact is a reminder of how major events can significantly contribute to carbon emissions, affecting not just local environments but also global climate patterns. This topic is crucial for understanding the broader implications of our choices and events on the planet's health.

To fly or not to fly? The climate question

a purple and green background with intertwined circles

OpenAI’s new energy chief is a Trump administration natural gas evangelist

The ChatGPT creator hired John McCarrick, a gas-loving former Trump energy official, to guide how the company will source huge quantities of power for its colossal supercomputers.
An aerial view of the Pentagon building in Washington, DC

Pentagon retreats from climate fight even as heat and storms slam troops

For decades, the military treated climate change as a threat. Now it’s backing away from plans to protect people and bases from extreme weather.
A person standing at an outdoor kiosk which sells oysters

Wild oysters make a comeback in Maine

After more than a century, these shellfish have reappeared in Damariscotta River. Their return is a boon—and a warning of a changing climate.
A black man installing solar panels on a roof on a sunny day

Europe pledges $600 million for clean energy projects in Africa

The European Union has pledged more than half a billion dollars to fund renewable energy and electrification projects in Africa, aiming to expand access to electricity while countering China’s growing influence on the continent.

Green trees on one side of the road and deforested brown land with bare earth and cut timber on the other.

‘Dismal’ health of world’s forests is threat to humanity, report warns

Financial institutions pouring money into land clearance and undermining efforts to stop destruction, says Climate Focus.

a large cargo ship in the water with a large crane in the background.

Nations meet to consider regulations to drive a green transition in shipping

Maritime nations are gathering in London to discuss regulations aimed at reducing shipping emissions.
a group of wind turbines on top of a forested hill with dark clouds in background.

Climate investment is only growth opportunity of 21st century, says leading economist

Lord Stern says fossil-fuelled growth is futile as the damage it causes ends in economic self-destruction.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.