What Your Cruise Line Never Tells You… Mr. Environmentalist!

Interesting concept this is, ecotourism.  It seems to be taken for granted by many who consider themselves part of the newly revitalized Green Revolution in regards to the luxury, all inclusive cruise ship.  Two things you must know about me before I explain are that I’ve never been on a cruise and nor do I plan to.  I’ve been blessed with a guilty conscience (or burdened… however you want to look at it).  Anyway, as a person who strives to at least be environmentally aware,  I was shocked to discover the treatment of third world and Caribbean ports by the Cruise Industry.  Bilge water and waste being dumped into the pristine waters of these island nations.  I never thought about it before but it has to go somewhere.  I guess the waste can’t wait until they return to there home port.  After all we have our own environmental standards to uphold.

In addition to the dumping of waste, the masses of tourists venturing onto the island bleeds resources and influences the counter to smart and sustainable growth known as urban sprawl with development to appeal to tourists.  On an island such as Dominica this does more harm than good for the long-term sustainability of the nation.

Environmental issues aside there are money distribution problems.  Once docked passengers usually have an option to either stay with the ship or venture onto the island to experience the island culture.  Little money is actually spent by cruise tourists.  Three reasons for this are  1)  name-brand and luxury shopping is absent or unappealing to visitors 2)   half of the visitors never leave the ship 3)  those who leave the ship return before lunch without having spent any money.  This combined with the cruise industry’s bullying Caribbean islands into competing for their business with little or no part of the profits inherently should infuriate the environmentalist.

I tell myself I will never take a cruise because of my guilty conscience; my own way of being a rebel.  But could I turn down a free cruise… now that’s a tough one.  Am I a hypocrite for driving my car to work?  After all, that harms mother earth too.  I guess it comes down to identifying want from necessity and the weight of the burden it puts on your mind.

Reminder: Not all cruise ships are the same.  Check out this green buzz article on ratings for environmentally friendly vessels.

How Will Average Joe Buy Into Saving The Earth

As a geographer I admire the earth for many reasons.  For its beauty, its power, its size, its diversity, its complexity but most of all its my home and a gift from god that should be respected but itself is a resource.  Saving the earth from climate change (not global warming) is not actually the be all end all on my bucket list.  Especially in these economic times.  There are however environmentally conscious industries in the U.S. that deserve more praise and recognition on the world stage, particularly in the realm of sustainable industries.  This means preservation and replacement of resources.  The National Forest program pays testament to preservation initiatives in the U.S. while state initiatives on sustainable development and forestry exist in many states.

So amidst pressure from the world stage for America to lead by example this is an example of an initiative that appears overlooked while complaints of carbon emissions from our automobiles are front and center.  On this topic, an appropriate message to government bureaucrats should be patience… and allow tangible (monetary) reasons for a rural middle class American purchase a clean emissions automobile.  Start in the cities where the highest levels of CO2 emissions occurr and leave rural America at peace to do the heavy lifting it provides for the country with its diesel powered machinery and vehicles.  Time and innovation will  get us there.

I believe in environmental awareness and trust that rural America will do its part how and when it makes the most sense to do so.  Why do we really pick up trash in the first place, because it is unhygienic and not pleasing to look at.  It’s not rocket science; It’s intuition.  Why do we recycle? We really don’t unless it is convenient and easy.  I at least don’t see myself driving 20 miles out of my way on my to or from work to a recycling center to take my trash.  With time and patience, Average Joe will have no problem saving the earth.

Curitiba, Brazil Gets it Right!

I first saw this documentary in my transportation geography course and just had to share it.  The documentary observes the city’s public transit system and its widespread success.  While its innovations here are enough to inspire hope for a transportation solution Curitiba, Brazil has done much more for its people in social programs, parks, recreation, recycling, affordable housing options and enthusiasm and support for small business owners.  This city wins my heart as the worlds most successful city with its philosophy of being a city for the people NOT the automobile.

Above ground subway system. Light Rail in the center while 2 roads of one way traffic for effieciency surround it.

(The above video is only the trailer as there is not a free version to present)

Unlike the cities of North America public transportation via bus is the preferred mode of transportation for many reasons.  While congestion and traffic problems plague American cities our solution has been the construction of additional roadways to accommodate MORE traffic.  When you think about this it seems very counter intuitive.  MORE roadways = MORE traffic which contributes to the vicious cycle between supply and

demand also known as triple convergence.  If you build it they will come, ignoring any previous progress made with alternative modes of transport.

Curitiba has perfected a cost efficient design that reflects an above ground subway system (of buses not rail) with a design that encourages business and foot traffic in the city center while new development is created in a linear fashion along transit lines rather than around a centroid.

There is so much more that this city has done in the realms of energy, recycling, transportation, education, affordable housing, and providing public services and jobs to the under privelaged. Check out “A Convenient Truth” a documentary about Curitiba, Brazil.  This is truly a pioneering city that has created a model for other cities of the world.  In my opinion, more credit can be given to Brazil in the realms of environmental policy considering the efficiency and cleanliness of this city.

What obstacles does the United States face if it wants to amp up its public transportation?  See my post here on ostacles the U.S. faces.