With five private jets, Travolta still lectures on global warming

[jetsetter]

With five private jets, Travolta still lectures on global warming

His serious aviation habit means he is hardly the best person to lecture others on the environment. But John Travolta went ahead and did it anyway.

The 53-year-old actor, a passionate pilot, encouraged his fans to "do their bit" to tackle global warming.

But although he readily admitted: "I fly jets", he failed to mention he actually owns five, along with his own private runway.

Clocking up at least 30,000 flying miles in the past 12 months means he has produced an estimated 800 tons of carbon emissions – nearly 100 times the average Briton's tally.

Travolta made his comments this week at the British premiere of his movie, Wild Hogs.

He spoke of the importance of helping the environment by using "alternative methods of fuel" – after driving down the red carpet on a Harley Davidson.

Travolta, a Scientologist, claimed the solution to global warming could be found in outer space and blamed his hefty flying mileage on the nature of the movie business.

But his appointment as a "serving ambassador" for the Australian airline Qantas doesn't seem to have much to do with the movies. Nor does a recent, two-month round-the-world flying trip.

"It [global warming] is a very valid issue," Travolta declared. "I'm wondering if we need to think about other planets and dome cities.

"Everyone can do their bit. But I don't know if it's not too late already. We have to think about alternative methods of fuel.

"I'm probably not the best candidate to ask about global warming because I fly jets.

"I use them as a business tool though, as others do. I think it's part of this industry – otherwise I couldn't be here doing this and I wouldn't be here now."

Travolta's five private planes – a customised £2million Boeing 707, three Gulfstream jets and a Lear jet – are kept at the bottom of his garden in the US next to a private runway.

Indeed, such is his enthusiasm for flying, he persuaded his wife, actress Kelly Preston, to name their son Jett when he was born 14 years ago.
Five years ago he piloted his own Boeing 707 on a 13- city "Spirit of Friendship Tour" for Qantas, taking in Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney, Singapore, Tokyo, London, Paris and New York and amassing over 35,000 flying miles.

More recently, a gruelling promotional schedule for his two latest projects, Hairspray and Wild Hogs, has seen him fly extensively over the past year.
This includes a country-wide tour of the US and a visit to Canada as well as this week's appearance in Leicester Square.

Such prolific mileage means that, over the past 12 months, he has accumulated around 800 tonnes of carbon emissions.

According to a recent study by the government-funded Carbon Trust, this means he boasts a carbon "footprint" nearly 100 times that of the average Briton, who is responsible for 10.92 tons of Co2, from his flights alone.

One of the world's leading climate change businesses, the Carbon Neutral Company, has written to Travolta, suggesting ways he could reduce these alarming levels.

He has yet to respond to their advice. Environmental groups were quick to criticise Travolta for "discrediting the cause".

John Buckley, managing director-of CarbonFootprint.com, said: "John Travolta has such a high-profile celebrity status, so what he says carries an extraordinary amount of weight.

"So it is such a shame when someone of his standing is so outspoken about green issues, yet fails to practise what he preaches."

"Unfortunately someone of his standing ends up discrediting the cause itself, because he is saying people should protect the environment on one hand, yet travelling on a private plane on the other.

"Green issues are serious and should be treated as such."

"It is vital for celebrities to toe the line when they speak out in support of it."

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbi...ing/article.do

Gave me a bit of a chuckle.

[Firecat]

HAHAHAHA. Yeah, his love for flying is known.....he really is one of the last people to be talking about being more "green"....

Although he does kind of admit that in the article, but I seriously doubt he just flies for "business reasons"

[phuckingduck]

I'm wondering if we need to think about other planets and dome cities.

That part cracked me up

[ryosuke]

does it matter whether he owns one, five or a hurnded jets? he can't fly them all at once anyway...

[bartboy9891]

Travolta has a TVR Tuscan, the kind of car that tells people you couldn't really give a flying fuck about environmentalism.

[Redliner]

He should blame global warming on Xenu

[KaJuN]

Originally Posted by ryosuke

does it matter whether he owns one, five or a hurnded jets? he can't fly them all at once anyway...

Well yeah, but does anyone say the same thing about Jay Leno and his car collection?

Comparing his "carbon footprint" to a normal citizen just isn't fair. He travels more in a year than most people do in their whole lives. Don't you just love meaningless statistics? It's sad to see that the media has gotten to the point where it's blaming individuals for causing global warming.

[AnGuRuSO]

Originally Posted by ryosuke

does it matter whether he owns one, five or a hurnded jets? he can't fly them all at once anyway...

good point

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by AnGuRuSO

good point

Take into account the resources that were used to produce the aircraft and that are used to maintain the aircraft. Also realize that the aircraft are not all the same model.

[YF19pilot]

Those Gulfstreams tend to have good efficency. However, I got a chuckle out of the fact that the "Greenies" are worried he is sending a hypocritical message because he doesn't practice what he preaches. Yet, they are more than willing to overlook any grevancies their cult leader, Algore, does.

All things considered, knowing how half of the pilots here at my school are easily influenced, I can believe half of them flying/owning private jets and going on about Global Warming. They're like sheep...

[Hidden_Hunter]

The 707 he has which he flys predominately certainatly isn't eco friendly... in the slightest.

[Goose+]

Originally Posted by ryosuke

does it matter whether he owns one, five or a hurnded jets? he can't fly them all at once anyway...

Yes, because he employs 3 permanent pilots who live on his grounds.

[No Boss]

This is his house/airport... I saw this in a magazine a long time ago, so it's probably much bigger now.

/Xenu couldn't be bothered with first class.

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by KaJuN

Well yeah, but does anyone say the same thing about Jay Leno and his car collection?

Jay Leno doesn't blather about how we brainless masses should lead our lives. (Does he? I haven't heard anything.)

[Donington]

I'm going to use the 'business' excuse from now on.

[Shawn]

I think the cure for global warming is to make a huge e-meter, sell it to the UN for a few billion dollars and have them purify the planet with it.