Cruise Ship Blues by Ross A. Klein

Author:Ross A. Klein [Klein, Ross A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Travel, Essays & Travelogues, Nature, Industries, Business & Economics, Transportation, Hospitality; Travel & Tourism, Environmental Conservation & Protection, Ships & Shipbuilding
ISBN: 9780865714625
Google: FPLeQsEUWZYC
Amazon: 0865714622
Publisher: New Society Publishers
Published: 2002-10-01T07:00:00+00:00

ORCAS

There are now 20 percent fewer orcas living around the southern end of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In 1995 there were 99 resident whales; by 2001 the resident population had dropped to 78.35

While the cruise industry is not a source of DDT and PCBs, this illustration demonstrates the fragility of the marine environment, and underlines the importance of control over disposal of chemicals and other pollutants at sea.

Environmental Challenges

The potential for environmental damage through pollution by the cruise industry is great. There have been some moves to attempt to improve control and regulation of the industry, and these have had moderately positive effects, but overall the laws and regulations remain lax. With the cruise industry’s exponential growth, the environment is losing out to a far greater extent than any gains made through modest improvements.

History has demonstrated that environmental responsibility has not been voluntarily assumed. Most industry innovations and initiatives have followed a pattern: deny that their behavior is a problem, lobby government to not impose regulations, resist enforcement, and, after being caught, announce new regulations or commitments. Alaska provides a good case in point.

DESTINATION: ALASKA

In many ways, Alaska is unique in its relationship with the cruise industry. The state attracts a large number of cruise ships during the season from May through September. During these five months in 2001, more than 680,000 passengers visited Alaska — a 170-percent increase from 1990.

In total, more tourists arrive to Alaska by cruise ship from May through September than there are year-round residents in the entire state. One journalist observed that cruise ships, with roughly 45,000 passengers aboard on a typical Alaska day, constitute the third largest city in the state. No doubt, the cruise industry is a major source of income to the Alaskan economy.

More than 87 percent of tourists visiting Juneau in 2001 arrived by cruise ship.

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