SINKING THE CLIMATE: How Carnival & The Rest of The Cruise Industry are Accelerating Climate Change CARNIVAL AND OTHER CRUISE SHIP COMPANIES promote their environmental record, while actually polluting the climate more than ever. Travelers have the right to know the true impact of their vacations so they can make choices that reflect their values. CLIMATE AND LOCAL AIR POLLUTION from cruise ships has been increasing rapidly over the last decade as operations expand, causing serious impacts including:
ccelerated climate change from ship A exhaust and use of dirty fuels;
ocal environmental impacts from L ship pollution that spreads black carbon on snow and ice, accelerating melt; and
uman health impacts from black H carbon and other ship pollutants.
IT’S TIME FOR CARNIVAL AND THE REST OF THE CRUISE INDUSTRY TO END THEIR CLIMATE POLLUTION
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3 WAYS Cruise Ship Pollution Accelerates Climate Change, Increases Local Air Pollution & Threatens Human Health
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GREENHOUSE GASES (GHGs) Accelerate Climate Change. Cruise ships typically burn diesel or heavy fuel oil, emitting large volumes of GHGs that accelerate climate change. Even though cruise companies are polluting more and more, they are: Exempt from the Paris Agreement on climate change Largely unregulated in their growing climate pollution
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Part of industry delays on climate change commitments
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BLACK CARBON Accelerates Climate Impacts. Cruise ships belch enormous amounts of dirty soot into the air. When black carbon (one of the primary components of soot) lands on glaciers and snowfields, it rapidly accelerates their melting.2 In vulnerable regions like the Arctic, where the cruise and shipping industries plan to dramatically increase their presence, this accelerated melting will be devastating for local ecosystems and the global climate. In terms of total contribution to climate change, black carbon is second only to carbon dioxide in its warming impacts.3 But it’s not just climate impacts we need to worry about. Black carbon also poses a health threat to nearby communities as residents inhale particulate matter generated by the ships’ burning of diesel and heavy fuel oil. 4
DID YOU KNOW THAT CRUISES AND SHIPPING:
x x
Are among the fastest growing sources of climate pollution and will account for nearly 20% of global climate pollution by 2050 if significant action is not taken. 8 Are on track to increase climate pollution 250% by 2050.9
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BURNING HEAVY FUEL OIL AND DIESEL Increases Local Air Pollution and Threatens Human Health. Air pollution from cruise ships directly threaten human health. Pollutants include: Sulfur dioxide: Breathing sulfur dioxide can cause respiratory issues and lung problems.5 The heavy fuel oil used by cruise ships on the high seas—and possibly used illegally closer to shore when not monitored—is far dirtier than the diesel that cars and trucks burn. Nitrogen oxides: Burning diesel and heavy fuel oil contributes to ground-level ozone which is responsible for asthma and other respiratory problems.6 Carbon particles: Burning diesel and heavy fuel oil creates particles of black carbon small enough to be inhaled directly into the lungs.These particles contribute to serious cardiopulmonary and respiratory problems.7
Shipping produces more climate pollution than many major countries such as: 10
CANADA
MEXICO
SOUTH KOREA
BRAZIL
GERMANY
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LOVING PLACES TO DEATH:
Local impacts from Cruise Ships
Cruise ships visit incredible natural places like the Sea of Cortez, the Caribbean islands, the Gulf of Alaska, British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, the Arctic and more. Unfortunately, cruise ships directly threaten the very destinations they visit: ALASKA AND THE ARCTIC: Cruise ships accelerate snow and ice melt by
emitting black carbon during the voyage.
CORAL REEFS AND OPEN OCEAN: Pollutants are discharged directly into the
sea, harming reefs and marine life.
COASTAL AREAS AND ISLANDS: Many areas visited by cruise ships will be
significantly harmed by rising sea levels from climate change accelerated by the industry.
With the largest cruise liners carrying over 8,500 passengers and crew, these ships are like floating, polluting cities:11 SOLID WASTE
In recent years, cruise ships alone have accounted for almost a quarter of the solid waste dumped at sea.12 And new regulations have had only a minor impact on waste reduction. 13
TOXIC DISCHARGE
Oily bilge water and other pollutants routinely dumped into the sea increase acidity and pollution levels in the ocean. 14
HUMAN EXCREMENT
Around 1 billion gallons of sewage is discharged from cruise ships every year.
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Cruise Ships’ Growing Threat to the Climate
MYTH: FACT:
CARNIVAL SHIPS’ CLIMATE POLLUTION
Cruise ships have reduced their “carbon footprint.” The world’s largest cruise companies Carnival and Royal Caribbean have rapidly increased their total climate pollution (“carbon footprint”) by some 20% in just ten years. While some improvements in fuel efficiency have been made, cruise companies are causing more climate pollution than ever.
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ALL COMBINED CARS IN: ALASKA WYOMING VERMONT NORTH DAKOTA
SOUTH DAKOTA MONTANA DELAWARE RHODE ISLAND
LEADING CLIMATE POLLUTERS:
CRUISE SHIPS PRODUCE MORE CLIMATE POLLUTION EACH YEAR THAN MILLIONS OF CARS: 15, 16
OVER THE LAST DECADE, THE WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE COMPANIES HAVE RAPIDLY INCREASED THEIR CLIMATE POLLUTION : 17
2.2 MILLION
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CLIMATE POLLUTION FROM 2.2 MILLION CARS 10.1 million metric tonnes CO2 equivalent
THEIR % INCREASED CLIMATE POLLUTION 18% SINCE 2005
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CLIMATE POLLUTION FROM 1 MILLION CARS
MILLION
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4.4 million metric tonnes CO2 equivalent
THEIR % INCREASED CLIMATE POLLUTION 21% SINCE 2005
REFUSED TO EVEN REPORT GREENHOUSE GAS POLLUTION
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Simple Things Cruise Companies Can Do to Quickly Reduce Climate Pollution:
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Commit to rapidly reducing their TOTAL climate pollution to meet or beat the Paris Agreement's climate targets. Avoiding dangerous climate change requires total reductions in climate pollution.18
liminate black carbon pollution that greatly x Eaccelerates snow and ice melt. 19
x x x
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educe ozone and nitrogen oxide R air pollution on all ships by installing catalytic reduction systems.20 witch to low-sulfur diesel fuel, and S immediately end all heavy fuel oil use in Alaska and Arctic routes to avoid black carbon pollution. I n port, switch to shore power supplied by clean energy sources to reduce pollution that directly impacts the health of port communities.21
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Some cruise companies talk about how they are protecting the climate, but… climate pollution from the very year x Ecruise ship industry grows. in fuel efficiency have x Inot mprovements offset overall increases in the industry’s climate pollution.
ruise companies’ small efforts on x Cclimate protection won’t reduce their
total climate impact: it’s like switching to a lower-fat dessert but eating twice as much.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CONDEMNS CARNIVAL: “ [Carnival] deliberately violated the international law regime designed to make sure that our precious oceans are protected.” “ This is a company that knew better and should have done better.”
“ The Carnival family of companies has a documented history of environmental violations.”
IT IS TIME FOR CARNIVAL CRUISES TO LEAD THE WAY AND STOP POLLUTING THE CLIMATE. This Is An All-Hands-On-Deck Moment! Relying on slow-moving international regulations—that cruise ships are currently exempt from—simply isn’t enough to protect the climate.
PASSENGERS NEED BETTER CRUISES THAT DON’T POLLUTE THE CLIMATE AND HARM THE OCEAN ENVIRONMENT.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Contact Carnival Cruises today. Ask them to lead the way and stop polluting the climate.
Currently, Each Carnival Passenger’s Trip in North America Results in: 22
x3 TIMES the amount of climate pollution as flying 23
x O ver 8 GALLONS OF SEWAGE discharged into the sea every day 24
CALL CARNIVAL AT 1-800-764-7419. WRITE A REVIEW OF CARNIVAL’S CLIMATE IMPACT ON TRIPADVISOR.COM. VISIT STAND.EARTH TO SEND A LETTER TO CARNIVAL.
#DirtyShips
x 9 1 GALLONS of polluting wastewater from showers, sinks, and washing machines discharged into the sea every day. 25
SHIPPING@STAND.EARTH
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Endnotes 1. I nternational Maritime Organization Briefing, “New requirements for international shipping as UN continues to address greenhouse gas emissions,” IMO, October 28, 2016. http://www.imo.org/en/ MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/28-MEPC-data-collection--.aspx 2. Renee Cho, “The damaging effects of black carbon,” Columbia University, March 22, 2016. http:// blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2016/03/22/the-damaging-effects-of-black-carbon/ 3. TC Bond et alia, “Bounding the role of black carbon in the climate system: A scientific assessment,” Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 118, Issue 11, June 16, 2013. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ doi/10.1002/jgrd.50171/abstract 4. Kevin Hicks et alia. “Integrated Assessment of Black Carbon and Tropospheric Ozone,” United Nations Environment Programme, 2011. http://www.unep.org/dewa/Portals/67/pdf/BlackCarbon_report.pdf 5. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registration. Public Health Statement Sulfur Dioxide. December 1998. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=251&tid=46 6. Environmental Protection Agency, Ozone pollution web page. https://www.epa.gov/ozone-pollution 7. California EPA Air Resources Board, “Overview: Diesel Exhaust and Health,” content reviewed April 2016. https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/diesel/diesel-health.htm 8. The Guardian, “Shipping industry criticised for failure to reach carbon emissions deal,” October 28, 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/28/shipping-industry-fails-agreement-cap-carbon-emissions 9. Haifeng Wang and Nic, “Long-term potential for increased shipping efficiency through the adoption of industry-leading practices,” The International Council on Clean Transportation, July 2013. http:// www.theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/ICCT_ShipEfficiency_20130723.pdf 10. E ach country emits 2.4% of global GHGs or less. World Resources Institute, CAIT Climate Data Explorer, data for 2015, http://www.wri.org/blog/2015/06/infographic-what-do-your-countrys-emissions-look. Shipping accounted for 2.6% of global GHGs from 2007 to 2012. International Maritime Organization, “Third IMO GHG Study 2014,” http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/ PollutionPrevention/AirPollution/Pages/Greenhouse-Gas-Studies-2014.aspx. 11. L ouise Goldsbury, “Sea monster: on board the world’s biggest cruise ship,” Traveller, December 14, 2010. http://www.traveller.com.au/sea-monster-on-board-the-worlds-biggest-cruise-ship-18qzd 12. C hristina Kamp, “Crusade against the environment,” Tourism Watch. https://www.tourism-watch. de/en/content/crusade-against-environment
Climate%20Change%202016/Pages/DisclosureView.aspx; section CC9.2c. 17. Climate Disclosure Project, Climate Change 2016 Information Request, Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. 2016. https://www.cdp.net/sites/2016/46/15946/Climate%20 Change%202016/Pages/DisclosureView.aspx and https://www.cdp.net/sites/2016/70/2870/ Climate%20Change%202016/Pages/DisclosureView.aspx; section CC3.1c. Norwegian Cruise Lines declined to participate: https://www.cdp.net/en/responses/23144?back_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdp.net%2Fen%2Fresponses%3Fpage%3D10%26per_page%3Dall%26sort_by%3Dproject_year%26sort_dir%3Dasc 18. Many steps can be taken immediately to achieve higher fuel efficiency and lower fuel consumption, such as lower cruising speeds and regular maintenance like propeller and hull cleaning. Slow steaming (lower speeds) and propeller cleaning combined can reduce emissions by 13 to 38%. Haifeng Wang and Nic, “Long-term potential for increased shipping efficiency through the adoption of industry-leading practices,” The International Council on Clean Transportation, July 2013. http:// www.theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/ICCT_ShipEfficiency_20130723.pdf 19. 99% of black carbon pollution emissions can be removed by installing particulate filters on ship exhaust systems and use of higher-grade fuel. Dietmar Oeliger and Julia Balz, “Air pollution from container ships: Reductions possible with the use of diesel and effective exhaust gas technology – next to no impact on shipping and product prices,” Naturschutzbund Deutschland, April 2014. https://en.nabu.de/imperia/md/content/nabude/verkehr/140702-nabu-backgroundpaper_containerships.pdf 20. Ibid. 21. If shore power supplied by clean energy is not available, cruise lines can be leaders in protecting the health of passengers and communities by demanding clean power in the ports in which they operate. 22. Expressed as averages, based on approximate number of cruise days and distance. 23. Per mile equivalency of carbon dioxide. Emissions factors flying assumed at 17 to .25 Kg C/passenger mile. Environmental Protection Agency, “Emissions Factors for Greenhouse Gas Inventories,” EPA, November 19, 2015. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-12/documents/ emission-factors_nov_2015.pdf Emissions factors for cruise ships assumed at .40 Kg C/passenger kilometer. Charles Starmer-Smith, “Flying three times greener than cruising,” The Telegraph, 2008. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/greentravel/739287/Flying-three-times-greener-thancruising.html
13. Raunek Kantharia, “A Guide to Handling Garbage on Ships,” Marine Insight, updated July 22, 2016. http://www.marineinsight.com/maritime-law/a-guide-to-handling-garbage-on-ships/
24. Environmental Protection Agency, “Cruise Ship Discharge Report 2008,” EPA, 2008. Actual reported number from survey of 29 cruise ships = 8.6 +/- 1.1 gallons, with a single measured ship at 17 gallons/person/day. http://tinyurl.com/glbbhha
14. F riends of the Earth, “Cruise Ship Report Card,” 2014. http://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/93/ ac/7/4988/Cruise_Ship_Report_Card_2014.pdf
25. Christina Kamp, “Crusade against the environment,” Tourism Watch. https://www.tourism-watch. de/en/content/crusade-against-environment
15. E nvironmental Protection Agency, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle,” EPA, accessed December 8, 2016. https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle-0 16. Climate Disclosure Project. Climate Change 2016 Information Request, Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. 2016. https://www.cdp.net/sites/2016/46/15946/Climate%20 Change%202016/Pages/DisclosureView.aspx and https://www.cdp.net/sites/2016/70/2870/
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