The Carbon Bowl
TEMJ 20353 - Super Bowl, Carbon Bowl, Sustainability, Environmental impact, Carbon footprint, Eco-conscious, Green initiatives, Sustainable sports, Carbon emissions, Sustainable entertainment
Greetings Fellow Earthmonks,
As I sit here, snowflakes are gently blanketing the landscape outside. I'm reminded of the intricate dance of Earth's climate and atmosphere. With 10 inches of fresh snow on the ground and a steaming cup of coffee in my Yeti tumbler, I find myself drawn to the keyboard, ready to embark on a journey through the variability of our planet's systems. In this journal entry, we delve into the remarkable interconnectedness of Earth's climate and humanity.
While the allure of celebrity and the thrill of sports may seem worlds apart from the wonders of science, the truth is that they are all threads woven into the rich web of our planet's history and future.
Just as Taylor Swift's music transcends time and space, echoing through the ages, so too do the ancient creatures that once roamed the Earth. And while the Super Bowl and athletes like Travis Kelce may capture our attention with feats of athleticism, they are but fleeting moments in the grand symphony of Earth's natural rhythms.
So let us embark on this journey together, where science meets the extraordinary. As we unravel the mysteries of Earth's climate variability, may we gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and the urgent need to safeguard our planet for generations to come.
The Carbon Bowl
As an Earthmonk dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues, renaming the National Football League’s Super Bowl to the Carbon Bowl can serve as a powerful statement about the environmental impact of large-scale sporting events. By highlighting the carbon emissions associated with travel, energy consumption, and other aspects of the event, the Carbon Bowl can encourage fans, organizers, and stakeholders to consider sustainability in their actions and decisions.
The idea of renaming the Super Bowl, to the Carbon Bowl represents more than just a football game; it symbolizes the urgent need to address and reduce carbon emissions on a global scale. By bringing attention to the environmental footprint of major events like the Super Bowl, we can inspire positive change and promote a more sustainable future for our planet.
Jesetting Carbon
As many of you already know, the Carbon Bowl, formerly known as the Super Bowl, drew massive attention in 2024 as the most viewed televised event in history. Among the myriad of spectators and enthusiasts was none other than renowned musician and environmental advocate, Taylor Swift. While her presence undoubtedly added to the excitement of the event, her motivations extended beyond mere fandom. Swift's attendance at the Carbon Bowl in Las Vegas was to support her beau, Travis Kelce tight-end for the Chiefs. But exactly what type of environmental statement did Taylor Swift actually make at the Carbon Bowl? Let us begin by putting private jet travel in perspective.
Taylor Swift's decision to travel from Tokyo to Los Angeles to Las Vegas, for the Carbon Bowl game on her Dassault Falcon 7X private jet inevitably entails a carbon footprint that warrants careful consideration. By examining several key factors such as the distance, aircraft type, fuel consumption, flight duration, and CO2 emissions, we can estimate the environmental impact of her journey.
The distance between Tokyo and Las Vegas is significant, spanning thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean. Using her Dassault Falcon 7X private jet, which typically consumes around 400 gallons of fuel per hour, we estimate the total fuel burned for the journey. Assuming a flight duration of approximately 10-11 hours, the total fuel burned ranges from 4,000 to 4,400 gallons. Applying the standard conversion factor of approximately 21.1 pounds of CO2 emitted per gallon of jet fuel burned, we can estimate the carbon footprint of Taylor Swift's flight. The resulting range for the carbon footprint is between approximately 84,400 to 92,840 pounds of CO2 emitted.
Let's provide some common everyday examples to put the estimated ‘jetsetting carbon’ footprint range of 84,000 to 92,000 pounds of CO2 into perspective. The carbon footprint of driving a typical gasoline-powered car for one year is approximately 4,700 pounds of CO2. Therefore, the estimated carbon footprint of the private jet flight would be equivalent to driving a car for about 18 to 20 years. The average annual electricity consumption of a U.S. household is about 10,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh), resulting in a carbon footprint of approximately 11,900 pounds of CO2. Thus, the estimated carbon footprint of the flight would be equivalent to the electricity usage of about 7 to 8 households for one year. A one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles for a single passenger generates approximately 1,900 pounds of CO2 emissions. Therefore, the carbon footprint of the private jet flight would be equivalent to the emissions of about 44 to 49 such commercial flights.
The Big Footprint
Indeed, while Taylor Swift's carbon footprint from her jetsetting endeavors is considerable, it's imperative to recognize the broader carbon footprint associated with events like the Carbon Bowl held at Allegiant Stadium. Taylor Swift is just one fan. With a seating capacity of approximately 65,000 fans for football games, the environmental impact of transporting all fans to and from the stadium is significant and warrants careful consideration.
To estimate the carbon footprint of 65,000 fans traveling to the Carbon Bowl, we must take into account various factors such as fan base distribution, geographical considerations, and travel patterns. While providing an exact estimate without detailed data is challenging, we can offer a rough estimate based on historical trends and typical travel distances for major sporting events.
For air travel, assuming an average emissions rate of 0.43 pounds per passenger mile and an average distance of 900 miles traveled by each fan, the total emissions from air travel would amount to approximately 25,155,000 pounds for all 65,000 fans. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to the carbon emissions from the average annual electricity consumption of approximately 23,700 American households. This includes electricity used for lighting, heating, cooling, appliances, and electronics over the course of a year.
For driving, assuming an average emissions rate of 0.4047 pounds per mile and an average distance of 900 miles traveled by each fan, the total emissions from driving would amount to approximately 23,684,950 pounds for all 65,000 fans. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to the carbon emissions from driving approximately 58,500 cars for an entire year, assuming an average annual mileage of 12,000 miles per car.
While these estimates provide valuable insights into the environmental impact of transporting fans to the Carbon Bowl, it's essential to acknowledge the broader implications of large-scale events on carbon emissions and to explore opportunities for promoting sustainability and reducing environmental harm.
Sustainable Action
By raising awareness and taking proactive measures, we can work towards mitigating the carbon footprint of events like the Carbon Bowl and fostering a more sustainable future for all. I’ve only scratched the surface in estimating the ‘actual’ carbon footprint of the Carbon Bowl. The ‘bigger’ or true-cost of the Carbon Bowl is immense and remains obscured. So, let's embrace the spirit of the Carbon Bowl and use it as an opportunity to unite in our efforts to protect the planet and ensure a healthy and thriving world for generations to come. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for all.
Through education, advocacy, and collective action, the Carbon Bowl can become a platform for environmental stewardship, innovation, and collaboration. By embracing sustainability principles and implementing green initiatives, the Carbon Bowl can set an example for other events and industries to follow, demonstrating that it's possible to enjoy entertainment and sports while minimizing environmental impact.
NFL, if you are listening give me a call, I can help!
Trails End
Thank you for getting this far down the trail and for discovering the unknown with me. As the trail concludes, the invitation to subscribe to The Earthmonk Journal resonates, extending an opportunity to further explore the marvels of the natural world here with me.
The Earthmonk Journal is a reader supported publication. To receive new posts, support my work and receive other information consider one of the following options:
• If you like what you have read, please subscribe to the journal. It is always FREE and it is a great way to learn more about nature.
• If you are so inclined, there are additional ways you can pledge support for the publication by upgrading to paid:
⁃ Monthly for $5/month
⁃ Yearly pledge of $50/year
⁃ Founding Member for $150
Do you know someone else who would enjoy this journal, please share it. This journal is all about creating a community - both online and in the field.
In addition, please feel free to leave me a comment below and/or share your thoughts.
- The Earthmonk
Yet another reason I am not a big fan of sports, though I have to admit, I do like to watch, on TV, three of the most carbon-bad sporting events, the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a Espana bike races. Thanks for providing this perspective.
The video concludes with the info that “Swift’s two private jets flew 178,000 miles in 2023 equivalent to flying around the earth 7 times. emitting ~ 1200 tons of C02 in the process. That’s 83 times the average American."