It seems the UK's elite have been diligently engaged in a unique form of charity: giving back to the environment, generously, each and every day via their luxury lifestyles. A recent study, however, suggests that these frequent flyers and bon vivant consumers are contributing more to climate change (or, more accurately termed, big party for our future generations), than those with less joyous spending habits. The study by environmental behemoth, Friends of the Earth, reveals that the higher echelons of society - the ones who earn a small fortune every time they blink - are responsible for generating almost one-third of the UK's carbon footprint. Quite a feat, considering they account for only around 10 percent of the population. Surely astronomers might soon spot a star formation in their honour, a constellation named "Footprintus Maximus"? Apparently, owning an armada of high-performance vehicles, having a love affair with exotic foods from remote parts of the globe, and frequently holidaying in luxury resorts (the closet thing to paradise on Earth) comes with more than just a hefty price tag - it's a “put-the-planet-on-a-barbecue” recipe. One might argue such behaviour is out of sync with the current climate crisis, but it seems our wealthy friends have taken a somewhat different approach: fighting global warming by fuelling it, a noble sentiment. "The more someone earns, the more they tend to consume and the more carbon emissions they create," explains Oliver Hayes, a climate campaigner with Friends of the Earth. Here, we thought they were just using wealth as an indicator of their bashfulness. Of course, the study doesn't claim all blame rests with the top earners. It concedes the majority of the population also have a significant role in the McFrying of our beloved Earth. But it does highlight that every designer handbag may hold more than fancy trinkets; it could hold a small piece of our shared, scorched future. Curbing this trend might require a slight shift in mindset. Perhaps places like the Maldives could resort to flooding their islands now and then, to discourage annual visits? Or maybe luxury brands could introduce a new line of products like biodegradable yachts and electric private jets - the ultimate status symbol of eco-unfriendliness converted into eco-friendliness. Until then, let us take solace in the knowledge that while the sky is literally falling, there will always be some who'll enjoy a champagne-soaked final countdown. A toast to climate change, anyone?