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House Of Representatives Passes Bill To Curb Ship Pollution |
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| By Michael d'Estries in Climate Change, Green Politics, Pollution, Travel | March 27, 2007 | ||
With most of the news focused on hybrids and alternative fuels for vehicles on land, it’s important to remember that ocean-going vessels produce more sulfur dioxide emissions than all the world’s cars, trucks and buses combined. Yikes. This information is courtesy of a new study conducted by International Council on Clean Transportation. Not only that, but it appears, according to GreenCarCongress, that it may only get worse,
“An International Maritime Organization (IMO) study of greenhouse gas emissions estimates that emissions from the global fleet would increase dramatically in the next 20 years as globalization leads to increased demand for bigger, faster ships, according to a report in the Guardian. Without action the IMO predicts that by 2020, emissions from ships would increase up to 72%.”
In light of this, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation yesterday to curb emissions spewed by ships using diesel fuel. From the article,
“Under the House bill, the U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency would be given the authority to develop and enforce emission limits on the thousands of domestic and foreign-flagged vessels that enter U.S. waters each year. The legislation would bring U.S. ship emission standards and requirements in line with pollution regulations followed by other countries.”
Why does it always seem like we’re the last developed country to pass such legislation?
The bill will now move on to the Senate where it is expected to pass. From there it falls on the President’s desk and it’s anyone’s guess as to what direction he’ll move in. Stay tuned.
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House Passes Emissions Legislation for Shipping - Environmental Leader said,
[...] The International Council on Clean Transportation recently issued a report (executive summary PDF) finding that ocean-going vessels produce more sulfur dioxide emissions than all the world’s cars, trucks and buses combined, according to a story by GreenCarCongress (via Groovey Green). [...]
Blue Sky Mining » First Ever Solar Crossing Of The Atlantic Ends In NYC said,
[...] According to research by the shipping industry and European academics, carbon dioxide emissions from shipping are double those of aviation and increasing at an alarming rate which will have a serious impact on global warming. The rise in emissions may be as much as 75% over the next 15-20 years! In attempting to avoid this, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation recently to curb emissions spewed by ships using diesel fuel. Other countries around the world have instituted similar restrictions. [...]