Cruise tourism is popular, but it is environmentally devastating. If global shipping were a country, it would be the sixth largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions. Only the United States, China, Russia, India and Japan emit more carbon dioxide than the world’s shipping fleet. Nevertheless, carbon dioxide emissions from ocean-going vessels are currently unregulated. Like all modes of transportation that use fossil fuels, ships produce carbon dioxide emissions that significantly contribute to global climate change and ocean acidification. Besides carbon dioxide, ships also release a handful of other pollutants that contribute to the problem. The shipping sector will for the first time have to monitor its carbon emissions under a law agreed by the European Union on Wednesday. Environmental campaigners say the new law is weak, although they still welcomed it as progress towards tougher steps.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 08:20:29 +0000