The images are idyllic: infinity pools, dizzying slides, gala dinners and sunrises over a crystal-clear sea. Cruises are sold as the quintessence of relaxation and adventure, an unrivalled holiday experience. And more and more people are being seduced by their siren song. But at what price?
While the cruise industry celebrates the construction of ever larger ships, like authentic floating cities with thousands of passengers, a dark cloud of pollution hangs over this artificial paradise. And the most worrying thing is that almost no one seems to notice, or at least, no one talks about it.
It is an undeniable fact: cruises are the most polluting tourist activity. A single passenger on a cruise generates more than twice as many emissions as an airplane traveller staying in a hotel. Imagine the ecological footprint of a ship with 5,000, 7,000 or even more passengers, sailing day and night, burning dirty fuel and dumping waste into the sea.
And despite these alarming figures, the cruise industry continues to boom, accounting for nearly 4% of the global holiday market. How is it possible that something so polluting is so popular, yet so little is said about its environmental impact?
One of the keys to this “invisibility” lies in the complex regulation of the sector. Operating in international waters and docking in ports in different countries, cruise ships operate in a legal limbo that allows them to avoid stricter environmental regulations.
It is as if they have a license to pollute, a VIP pass to the deterioration of the planet. While cars are forced to reduce their emissions and industries on land face increasingly rigorous controls, these marine giants seem to operate with impunity. Where is climate justice in this equation?
Opacity in waste management also contributes to the problem. Although cruise companies often boast about their wastewater treatment and recycling systems, the reality is much murkier. Reports of illegal dumping are frequent, and the lack of transparency prevents a real assessment of the environmental impact of these practices. What is hidden beneath the surface of that turquoise blue sea that attracts us so much in advertising brochures?
Another determining factor is the lack of public awareness. Cruise advertising focuses on the on-board experience, luxury and fun, completely ignoring the dark side of the coin. And the media, in general, does not devote enough attention to this issue either.
While aviation emissions or city pollution occupy the front pages and generate debates, the ecological footprint of cruises remains in the shadows. Is it easier for us to ignore a problem that affects a sector associated with leisure and enjoyment?
The industry, for its part, hides behind vague promises of long-term sustainability. They talk about ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), innovative technologies and a "zero emissions" future by 2050. But what happens in the meantime? Setting objectives for decades without establishing intermediate goals and concrete control mechanisms is nothing more than a smokescreen.
It is like saying: "We will pollute as we please for the next 25 years, and we will see what happens after that." This type of commitment, without a clear and concise action plan, is an insult to intelligence and a mockery of the climate emergency that affects us all.
The situation is even more absurd if we consider that we are subsidizing, directly or indirectly, the polluting fuel that these ships use. While cuts are made in research and development of renewable energies, we continue to finance an industry that contributes to global warming and the destruction of marine ecosystems. Isn't it time to rethink our priorities?
You can see a very interesting video from The Guardian at: https://youtu.be/EZlgM_u4Ghg
Cruises are not an essential service. They are a luxury, a whim. And as such, they should be subject to the strictest environmental standards. We cannot continue to look the other way as these floating cities sail the seas leaving behind a trail of pollution. It is time to demand transparency, accountability and real change in the cruise industry. Our planet cannot afford to continue ignoring this problem.
And when will that happen?
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