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 family having a picnic in a greenfield

The psychological distance between us and climate disaster

An analysis of dozens of previously published studies reveals people systematically underestimate their own vulnerability to climate threats.
Petrochemical plant in twilight
Credit: Aunging/BigStock Photo ID: 198653959

Civil rights case probes racism behind Cancer Alley pollution

Federal lawsuit claiming local officials illegally pushed polluting industries into Black communities reaches new stage.
Small Black child sitting his fathers lap covering his eyes

Insurance has become the real disaster for Black families

From Altadena to Alabama, Black families learn the real catastrophe starts after the disaster, when insurers decide who is worth saving.
Petrochemical or refinery facility venting methane at night enveloped in toxic smoke

Why the Clean Air Act was never a ‘good fit’ for climate

The lawyers who successfully won the law’s climate authority once thought of it as a placeholder for stronger legislation.
An explosion with red fire and grey smoke

Iran shocks could spur a shift to clean energy — but also to coal

Environmentalists say the war’s effects on oil and gas prices are an argument for countries to get off fossil fuels. But the reality is likely to be messier.
Solar panels juxtaposed against transmission lines and wind turbines
Credit: kckate16/ BigStock Photo ID: 478351339

Iran war: How green energy shields countries from oil shocks

The Iran war has disrupted oil and gas trade. As countries like the US double down on fossil fuels, experts say the conflict shows how speeding up homegrown renewables is the only way to avoid future energy crises.
Spanish wind turbines operated by Acciona Energía, on the harbour wall at Bilbao.

Spain’s wind-farm bargain

Renewable-energy projects can boost the economy of a rural town—if the community has a say in development.
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.