Choose a Cruise!! Eco-certification. certification of Cruises: Greening the Cruise Industry

Transcription

1 Choose a Cruise!!

2 Choose Again! It was found violations are common! Large cruise lines only promote luxurious experience Ignore social, economic, and environmental impacts

3 Dirty, Dirty, Dirty

4 Princess Violations: Princess Cruises agrees to a fine for dumping more than 20 garbage filled plastic bags off the Florida Keys. Passengers videotape offense and receive half of fine. Fine: $500, gallons of lubricating oil discharged into Taiya Inlet, AK after a propeller shaft seal was broken by a fishing line. Fine: $ Oil based paint dripped into Los Angeles Harbour, CA. Fine: $ gallon of hydraulic oil spilled into Los Angeles, CA harbour.. Fine $ Air pollution in AK coast. Fine: $110,000, $55,000, $0

5 Holland America Violations: Discharge waste 13 times in 10 days into Alaskan waters. Fine: $2 million 5 year probation gallons of marine gas oil spilled into East Bay, FL because a tank was overfilled. Fine: $ Drags anchor across 1000 meters of Soto's Reef, Cayman Islands. Fine: unknown Air pollution, opacity violations in AK coast. Fine $25,000 - $165,00 (some suspension) each year ,000 gal of sludge dumped in Juneau harbor. Fine: $25, Former Vice President, Richard K. Softye,, pleaded guilty to falsely certifying that Holland America Line was performing environmental audits when it wasn't. He was also ordered to perform 450 hours of community service while on probation for three years. Fine: $10,000

6 Disney Cruise Line Violations: New company Illness case, virus inflicts 200 passengers No public reported violations

7 Royal Caribbean Violations: Leaves a 450 meter (1500 foot) oil spill in St. George's Harbour,, Bermuda. Fine: $ Discharged waste into harbor at Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island containing an unacceptably high level of bacteria harmful to marine life. Fine: $ Plastic bag full of garbage found in Endicott Arm, AK. Traced to the ship by the bag's contents. Fine: $ liters ( gallons) of lube oil drained into gray water tank and was discharged into Port of Miami gallon of bilge oil discharged into Intracoastal Waterway, FL when a valve was left open. Fine: $ gallons of fuel oil spilled into Patapsco River, MD. Fine: $1000

8 Celebrity Cruise Violations: Food waste mixed with garbage discharged into Crown Bay, St. Thomas, USVI. Fine: warning Air pollution, opacity in AK coast. Fine: $0, $55,000, $25, Discharged treated wastewater at Juneau without required permits. Tests of the wastewater indicated that it was more acidic than permitted for discharging within a mile of shore. Fine: unknown A compliance audit under the plea agreement between Royal Caribbean and the US Department of Justice found that one 55-gallojn drum of hazardous waste generated by the print shop was landed at Tampa as non-hazardous waste. Fine: none

9 Norwegian Cruise Line Violations: gallons of oil spilled into Port of Miami linked to ship by chemical analysis. Fine: $ Damaged Great Mayan Reef near Conzumel (more than 4400 square feet had been shaved off -- 80% destroyed). Fine: $1 million Air pollution, opacity in AK coast. Fine: $55,000, $27,500, $27, Discharged sewage for up to three-quarters of a mile en route from Juneau to Ketchikan and within 3 miles of the Alexander Archipelago. Fecal coliform counts were 3500 times the allowable federal standard and total suspended solids 180 times the standard. Fine: unknown 2003 couple observed bottles, cans, corks, plastic plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups and organic material dumped from back of the ship by Hawaii. Fine: still being investigated by EPA and Coast Guard illegal discharge of 16,000 gallons (40 tons) of raw sewage into the Strait of Juan de Fuca (just off Whidbey Island, a popular vacation resort). Fine: unknown

10 Carnival Violations: Ship was observed training a several -mile long oil slick (observed by Coast Guard). Fine: audit One half gallon of oil based paint spilled into Los Angeles Harbour,, CA. Fine: $ Air pollution, opacity in AK coast. Fine $55,000, $27,000, $ Discharges 768,000 gallons of greywater (nearly 40,000 gallons per week for 20 weeks) into the port of San Pedro, California. Fine: none Administrative fee to settle with the California State Lands Commission over the cruise line's noncompliance with state ballast water law. Fine: $200, The company reported an accidental discharge of 60 gallons of grey water while anchored at Avalon Bay (Catalina Island, California), approximately one-half mile from land. Fine: none

11 Lindblad Expeditions Example of good stewardship: Founded in 1979 by Sven Linblad Environmental Policy System Invested in technology to minimize waste Reduce consumption of natural resources Mininize anthropogenic impacts Ensure compliance thru audits and employee awareness Beyond laws develop their own corporate standards Consider view of stakeholders

12 Lindblad Expeditions cont d Awards: 2002 Condé Nast Traveler Ecotourism Award 2001 United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Award, Condé Nast Traveler Gold List Travel + Leisure Top Ten Tour Operators World s Best Award Condé Nast Traveler Readers Choice for Top Cruise Lines Agency Affiliations: Galapagos Conservation Fund RARE Center for Tropical Conservation Opening Hearts Project Alaska Whale Foundation Marine Stewardship Council

13 National Geographic Expedition Cruises Travel with top NG experts and the best local guides Average of 25 travelers/trip Travel not as an observer but as an active participant, with boundless chances to be surrounded by natural wonders and exotic wildlife, to explore celebrated archaeological sites and important antiquities, to learn about different cultures and environments, and to meet local people and share in their traditions. Dedicated to sustaining environment, culture, heritage, aesthetics and well-being of local people

14 Ecotourism responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people (TIES, 2004). 2 Crucial Components: Local biodiversity and habitat are paramount Local populations must participate and gain economic benefits Hotly debated issue: cruises!

15 Cruise Industry Fleet size: : 250 and growing Fastest growing sector of travel industry Significant economic growth: $11.6 to $15.5 billion from 1997 to 1999 (ICCL). ATTENTION!

16 Cruise Industry a a two edged sword Large share of local economies but... The Floating Cities Environmental Impacts: High resource consumption: fuel, food, chemicals, materials Wastewater and solid wastes Direct waste dumping Air pollution and diesel fuel Acid rain, global warming Soot particles Invasive species Laws have not kept up and continue to be violated Whale strikes Negative land and shore resource management Wastes Overpopulation (i.e. Cancun) Coral reefs: development and diseases Fisheries

17 Major Socio-economic Question: Can cruise line tourism bring sustainable development to coastal and island communities (especially to countries with weaker economies) and how compatible is it with ecotourism?

18 Economic/Social Issues of Joint Market Advantages Diversifies countries economy Surrounding culture benefits jobs, income stimulation, standard of living, infrastructure Revenue conservation Cruise tourism and coastal communities with lesser political or economic clout Rapid economic development?

19 Hoonah, Alaska Swimming in cash

20 Are the Desired Economic Benefits LEAKAGES from Ecotourism Met? Rich countries v poorer countries, need to import All-inclusive vacation packages Ex. Cancun: 10 cents/$1.00 Leakages must be identified!

21 Social Considerations Cultural and Social Intrusion Loss of Local Control Displacement of People Disruption of Local Social Relationships

22 Xcaret, Mexico Proposal to expand Home Port Our entire ecology has been concessionized. -Yuxcuxtal, Mayan rights group

23 Current Legislation Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) Clean Air Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

24 More Legislation State Regulations California gray water dumping restrictions MARPOL by IMO Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships Sarbanes Oxley Act IMO

25 Potential New Legislation Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2004! More on that later.

26 Problems with Legislation Laws are outdated Cruise industry is in rapid growth Currently only measured radius restriction from coasts

27 Around the World in 80 Days Cruise ships are impossible to monitor closely No regulations on international waters Cruises move from country to country, difficult to regulate Bribery, corruption

28 Current certification programs: Green Globe 21 The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) - Smart Voyager STSC

29 Environmental Strategy: Develop a very strong over-arching organization to standardize and enforce eco-labeling for ecotourism: For cruise industry in particular: stakeholders put forward requirements for eco-certification certification addressing environmental issues on board and off board in the context of social, economic, and environmental impacts.

30 Stakeholders: ICCL IMO U.S. Coast Guard CLIA Regional Stakeholders Org s Environmental NGO s Public

31 Incentives for certification Economic: Public Image Improves reputation Ships are being held accountable (fines and NGO endorsements of eco-certification certification programs) Unique Geographical Region 50% cruises go to Caribbean/Bahamas Economically dependent on ecotourism (tourism in Bahamas is 60% of economy) Sustainability Ensures future of business Cost reduction, income growth, improved management practices, continuity of tourism Corporate competitive edge for partnerships and credit Other possibilities Premiums on passenger fees Performance subsidies

32 Incentives for certification Social Impact on local communities Encourage protection of native culture Compliance with labor laws Analyze carrying capacity Local knowledge is key to ecotourism Create enriching/informative tours Utilize locals expertise Educating cruise enthusiasts Ecology classes Transparency of impacts, builds trust

33 Incentives for certification Government Transoceanic regulations National defense of natural resources Equality, international relations Mandatory certification Promote worldwide environmental responsibility Challenging Others: Tax shifting polluter pays Subsidies rewards companies certified System thinking inclusive analysis

34 Conclusions Many challenges still present Due to competition within ports and cruise industry not team player - Certification program must recognize it is in everyone s s best interest Certification must be powerful, meaningful and trustworthy, or it can be subject to corruption

35 Conclusions cont d Market may not be ready for eco- certified cruises There is a great lack of awareness about magnitude of problem

36 Ecotourism/Cruise Sector assets: Fleet size of 250, is a doable size to implement industry-wide program Passengers are wealthy, can recognize their right to choose Global climate leaning towards corporate accountability and reduced role of nation- state Clear definition of cruise industry, not fragmented Some regional alliances exist Some certification programs already established

37 Want to Do Something About It? The Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2004,, introduced in Congress by Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois and Congressman Sam Farr of California

38 Talking Points: The Act would: Prohibit discharges of untreated sewage, graywater and bilge water within 12 miles of U.S. shore and within the Great Lakes. Establish improved standards for levels of fecal coliform,, total suspended solids (TSS), and chlorine in treated sewage and graywater Require the Coast Guard and EPA to issue final standards for the contaminants listed above taking into account the best available le technology, with the goal of zero pollutant discharge from sewage or graywater by Ensure illegal discharges do not continue by requiring better inspection and monitoring. Source: Oceana.org

39 Source: Oceana.org It s s this easy: You can ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor the Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2004 (S.2271 in the Senate, H.R.4101 in the House) -- the more co- sponsors the bill has, the better chance it has of passing.