Katy Perry is facing renewed backlash over her environmental activism after appearing at the World Economic Forum in Davos just months after taking part in a high-profile space tourism flight. Critics are accusing the pop star of hypocrisy, questioning how her climate advocacy squares with participating in an industry many experts say carries a heavy environmental cost.
Perry attended the annual Davos summit in Switzerland this January, where global leaders, policymakers, and influencers gathered to discuss climate change, sustainability, and economic inequality. Her presence at the event, which emphasized science-based climate solutions and urgent environmental action, quickly reignited debate over her April 2025 sub-orbital flight with Blue Origin.
The brief trip—lasting roughly ten minutes—was part of Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission and featured an all-female crew that included journalist Gayle King and aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe. While the mission was celebrated as a symbolic milestone, environmental advocates argue that such luxury space travel sends a conflicting message when paired with public calls for climate responsibility.
Blue Origin has defended its New Shepard program by stating that its rocket engines burn liquid hydrogen and oxygen, producing mostly water vapor rather than direct carbon emissions. However, climate scientists counter that releasing water vapor into the upper atmosphere can still intensify greenhouse effects and disrupt atmospheric chemistry. They also note that producing liquid hydrogen often depends on fossil fuels and that the broader lifecycle of rockets, infrastructure, and operations contributes significantly to emissions.
Online criticism intensified as social media users contrasted Perry’s climate messaging with the optics of private space travel. Viral posts accused the singer of indulging in an environmentally costly experience before promoting sustainability initiatives. While some claims circulating online about fuel usage remain unverified, experts agree that space tourism generates vastly higher emissions per passenger than commercial air travel when assessed holistically.
So far, Perry has not directly responded to the criticism, allowing the controversy to grow. Climate policy experts warn that when high-profile figures appear to contradict their own messaging, it can erode public trust and weaken broader climate movements.
At the center of the debate is a growing discomfort with the gap between elite, resource-intensive experiences and calls for collective sacrifice to combat climate change. For critics, Perry’s Davos appearance after her spaceflight highlights that tension at a moment when urgency and credibility are seen as more important than ever.
