THE CRUISE industry faces challenges due to its environmental impact, and in particular, its contribution to air pollution. With its high carbon emissions footprint, sulfur oxide releases, methane gas, and other pollutants that harm air quality and contribute to acid rain, the industry appears to be the world's highest contributor to air pollution.
A COUPLE different internet sites assert that a single cruise ship creates more carbon, and other emissions than 12,000 cars. While interesting, such assertions may be engaging in "apples to oranges" comparisons. They do not, for example, say during what period this emission occurs (per cruise, or per year?). There is little doubt, however, that the industry is currently targeted by environmental sources as the single-most "polluting" recreational offering. We know, also, that they have created both environmental and structural damage in places like the main canal in Venice. Enough so that they have been banned from docking there in recent years. We also know that Norway (and peraps other Scandinavian and Baltic destinations) have severely curtailed cruise ship activities. We are currently booked on a Celebrity Cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, for August, 2025. We are told that 2025 will be the last year these large ships will be allowed in the fjords. Thereafter, only electric powered (and essentially small) boats will be allowed to carry excursion passengers in the fjords. Norway, of course, considers itself one of the world's "greenest" countries.
Could it be Satan!!!? (Sorry, Dana Carvey fan here) 😀
I HAVE vowed not to get mired in politics on either of my blogs, but I have always been personally in favor of a balanced approach to these things. We all generally "lean" one way or another. But facts do matter, as does thorough research. I am absolutely in favor of research and progress toward renewable, clean energy sources. Even to the point of some reasonable compromise and sacrifice (what I have heard referred to as "social cost or capital"). At the same time, though, before we pat ourselves too hard on the back for being "green" I think we need to do so with wide open eyes that have good peripheral vision. The vast majority of "green" articles and arguments I see fail to take contributing factors into consideration. It is one thing to compare the pollution caused at a single point, between traditional gas powered and alternative energy-powered (EV, Hybrid, and natural gass). The frequently "rose-tinted" conclusions reached from this narrow analysis often neglect the big picture. I haven't ever seen anyone do a full, in-depth and completely unbiased full comparison of this. Hmmn. Wonder why not? Could it be Satan!!!? (Sorry, Dana Carvey fan here). Or maybe its just about the money. But those clean, efficient EV's have some of their own baggage, including the very toxic minerals used to manufacture the batteries, the labor problems (often child labor) associated with them, the certain world-wide shortage of the necessary raw materials as competing demands ramp up, and the very real problem of their useful life and subsequent disposal. We also have to come face to face with the reality that there has to be some source to create and deliver the energy required to charge these batteries. I am not saying we shouldn't continue to use and develop these things. I know traditional energy sources have a lot of their own baggage, and I believe it is a worthwhile endeavor to do all in our power to reasonably and sensibly move toward clean, renewable sources. The key, for me, is reasonably and sensibly. O.k., I'll get down off my soapbox now and return to cruising.
The International Council on Clean Transportation, has criticised LNG usage as a "misleading solution" and an example of attempting to appear environmentally friendly without truly addressing climate issues
I BELIEVE that in at least some measure, the cruise industry shares my view that we should be moving toward a "better" energy source. As I have noted before, however, they are a business, and businesses - for better or worse - are generally motivated by profit. The cost of clean energy transition will always be the major factor in the equation. Some of the newer ships (ironically enough, megaships) have been moving toward some kind of alternative. The newest and greatest RCL ship(s) are now powered by liquid natural gas (known as LNG in the energy and power industry). Indeed several cruise lines have newer ship in service or on the way that will be powered LNG.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN says its newest "Icon of The Seas" (powered by LNG) is 24% more efficient when it comes to carbon emissions than required by global shipping regulator the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Not everyone is buying, though. Bryan Comer, director of the marine program at The International Council on Clean Transportation, has criticised LNG usage as a "misleading solution" and an example of attempting to appear environmentally friendly without truly addressing climate issues: "We would estimate that using LNG as a marine fuel emits over 120% more life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than marine gas oil," he said in a recent interview. He also stresses that reducing carbon emissions is not the be all and end all of air polution, noting that In terms of warming effects, methane is 80 times worse over 20 years than carbon dioxide, making cutting methane emissions key to holding down global temperature warming. Presumably, he is not seeing the industry seriously addressing this issue.
I am absolutely in favor of research and progress toward renewable, clean energy sources
IN ADDITION to the fuel and power plant impact, cruise ships also generate huge quantities of solid waste from food, to packaging, and use large quantities of water. The industry has been more on top of this type of pollution, perhaps partly because it is more visible. Nearly every line has some level of recyling. Many ships now have onboard solid waste incinerators, and water re-conditioning equipment. Many have also begun to look at the sourcing of their food, specifyng the reduction or outright rejection of single-use containers. These approaches aren't new in some cases and have been in practice for years. It is also common for us to see the voluntary program regarding laundering of towels. We have always felt that we could easily get along with the same towels by hanging them to dry after each use, and it is nice to see that in the past few years, hotels and cruise ships alike have embraced that approach.
The key, for me, is reasonably and sensibly
I DOUBT that the world will stop cruising any time in the foreseeable future, but I do believe it is worth raising everyone's level of observation and attention to these things and to try do do our part as passengers to help.
Would love to hear your thoughts