Sometimes you just run across a bit of industrial-grade hypocrisy that is so staggering that you have to read it twice, after asking yourself, "Wait, what?" But this one's a real gobsmacker.
We're all aware that there is a fair amount of hypocrisy around the climate change issue; too many advocate for the regular folks being impoverished to address "climate change" while enjoying their mansions and private yachts. (I'm looking at you, John Kerry.) Too many of these people live the lifestyles of the rich and famous while wagging their fingers at the rest of us. What's more, the ones that run companies make "climate change" a part of their company's corporate philosophy. That's fine; they are entitled to do that. One example is Mark Zuckerberg's Meta/Facebook, which has a whole section of their Web page devoted to their climate change efforts.
We envision a just and equitable transition to a zero-carbon economy, and we are working with others to scale inclusive solutions that help create a healthier planet for all, ensuring that no one is left behind.
We will not realize this vision on our own. We see our role as protecting people and the planet through responsible operations—minimizing our energy, emissions and water impact, while protecting workers and the environment in our supply chain.
At the same time, we collaborate with community members, climate action leaders and scientists to innovate beyond what is possible today. We are leveraging our core products and services to enable access to climate science information and to accelerate action-oriented resources for tomorrow.
Uh-huh.
Well, that's fine. Meta is a private company. They can make such statements until their Board of Directors turns blue in the face, and much good may it do them. I don't begrudge them the right to make such statements, but I do expect them to live up to them, and I don't exclude the top guy from that — that top guy, of course, being Mark Zuckerberg.
Now, I told you about that so I could tell you about this. Get a load of Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg's new $300 million private yacht, the "Launchpad."
Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly gifted himself a $300 million megayacht, dubbed “Launchpad,” ahead of his 40th birthday.
The staggering 387-foot-long vessel was seen floating at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after arriving at its berth earlier this week, The Sun reported Thursday.
The multi-layered luxury ship’s sleek exterior was designed by Espen Øino International and boasts a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, according to SuperYacht Times.
Reportedly ranking as the 45th largest yacht in the world, the interiors are just as aesthetically pleasing and reportedly executed by Zuretti Interior Design company, a France-based company specializing in unique and custom yacht design.
The breathtakingly beautiful floater stands out with a navy blue theme matching an American flag perched proudly on its wood-paneled stern.
Holy cow. One can only imagine the carbon footprint of this thing; it's got more room than my house, quite a lot more, in fact, even if you add in the garage, workshop, and office building. While the article here doesn't specify any details of this behemoth's engine room, it's a fair assumption that a ship this size is powered by big, carbon-spewing marine diesel engines. It's unlikely that it runs on solar panels and batteries.
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Zuckerberg's 40th birthday (40! 40!) present to himself includes a helipad — because of course it does. Presumably, the helicopters that land on this mega-yacht will be powered not by solar panels and batteries but by good old high-carbon Jet A fuel. The initial price of this floating paradise isn't all there is to it; the thing reportedly costs $30 million a year just to keep it functioning. And what about the crew? This beast requires a crew of 48 to take care of 24 passengers; that's two crew members per passenger. All those people are probably driving gas-guzzling internal combustion engine cars to the dock, too.
There is no record of the thing's carbon footprint, nor should you expect to see one anytime soon.
Look, it's a great thing to live in a country and at a time when a young guy like Mark Zuckerberg, armed with an idea, can achieve wealth on this unprecedented scale. I don't begrudge him a penny of that money. But I do question his company's virtue signaling over "climate change" while the boss cavorts on a private yacht that would have made Caligula green with envy.
On the whole "climate change" issue, Mark Zuckerberg needs to attend to the plank in his own eye before lecturing us about the motes in ours.
