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grundar t1_j0986dz wrote

It's worth noting that their reference for carbon footprint for the wealthiest 1% (net worth of $1M+) has some questionable data:

  • Their data comes from interviewing four people.
  • Their estimate of average flights comes largely from asking one of those people (a pilot) about his clients, an inherently skewed dataset.
  • 2 of the other 3 interviewees flew twice a week.
  • That estimate of weekly flights accounts for half of their estimated carbon footprint.

That type of behavior might be typical of "the super-rich" defined as Ultra-High Net Worth individuals ($50M+), but they represent only 0.5% of the people this estimate is being used for (148,000 vs. 36.05M "High Net Worth" with assets $1M+). Speaking as someone who's known quite a few people at the (very) low end of that range due to time in tech and academia, a tiny fraction of people are flying twice a week and also driving 400 miles a week, indicating that this is not a realistic estimate for the bulk of people it is being applied to.

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MittenstheGlove t1_j0a1gow wrote

I do drive 400 miles a week easily as an Uber Driver

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grundar t1_j0a5xw8 wrote

> > a tiny fraction of people are flying twice a week and also driving 400 miles a week, indicating that this is not a realistic estimate for the bulk of people it is being applied to.
>
> I do drive 400 miles a week easily as an Uber Driver

Do you also take an average of 7 flights a month?

If so, congratulations, you're part of the tiny minority of people that estimate describes.

If not, perhaps that helps illustrate why this is not a reasonable estimate for the vast majority of people it's being applied to. Per this calculator, most of these people are either (a) people just retired after a lifetime of saving, or (b) people soon to retire after a lifetime of saving (i.e., ~15% of people in the US age 55-75 have $1M+).

Do you think 10%+ of people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s are taking 80+ flights per year? Do you think even 1% of retirees take that many flights? If no, then you may see why this estimate seems questionable.

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MittenstheGlove t1_j0adtam wrote

No, no, no. I’m just saying that I contribute unwillingly because I need money to live. :/

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