Ban Private Jets
Private jets and frequent flying are the pinnacle of climate injustice. Make Them Pay is an international campaign that brings together citizens and scientists to end the climate-wrecking activities caused by the excesses of private aviation. It includes members of Extinction Rebellion, Scientist Rebellion and Stay Grounded.
Private jets are 5 to 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial flights, and 50 times more polluting than train. A 4-hour private flight emits as much CO2 as the average european in a year.
This campaign is, however, not just about the emissions, it’s also about shining a light on who uses them and their impact on the climate and people’s lives and livelihoods. It’s about climate and social justice.
Most private flights are for routes that could be done in a commercial plane that emits up to 14x less CO2 per passenger. Most routes are under 500km, these could be done by train, limousine, etc. There is no need to fly 500km or even less. But the time and comfort of the people who use private jets is apparently more important that our human right to a dignified/safe life.
Private jets are used mostly by the richest 1% of the population. The ones who emit as much CO2 in one year as the poorest 2/3 of the population. And this only accounts for consumption emissions. But these people also own some of the most polluting companies in the world. Their investments are responsible for huge amounts of CO2 emissions. These people are the ones benefiting from the status quo and lobbying politicians to keep everything as it is. The ultra-rich don’t really suffer when flash floods or extreme heatwaves hit. The remaining 99% do. Private jets are a symptom of a profoundly unjust system. There is no good reason to use them. They must be banned. We, the 99% poorest part of the population, cannot afford the climate impacts of the private jets of the ultra-rich.
In Denmark in particular private jets are owned and used by some of the richest families, e.g. the Lego family through Kirkbi A/S owns and uses 3 private jets.
Thus, since October, Scientist Rebellion and Extinction Rebellion have been taking action every month against private jets. And in June we will have a big street party in front of Copenhagen Airport, come and join!
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