Group Challenges Lines to Address Climate Change

[Jason]

Travel Group Challenges Cruise Lines to Address Climate

Source: GreenBiz News

BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 31, 2006 - A nonprofit promoting sustainable development and eco-friendly travel has challenged the travel industry to answer the question, "Where does the cruise ship industry stand on the issue of global climate change?"

According to the Boulder-based non-profit Sustainable Travel International, the travel and tourism industry is catching on quickly about how to neutralize its own global warming related impacts from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One industry, however, has remained relatively silent.

"Cruise line industry operations are one of the biggest contributors to global warming related GHG emissions within the travel and tourism industry" explains STI Vice President Peter D. Krahenbuhl, "and ironically, this will impact the very places they depend on for business, particularly low-lying islands and coastal destinations."

According to Krahenbuhl, the rapid expansion of the cruise ship industry has triggered a public outcry for the industry to address its pollution-related impacts, as environmental laws have not kept pace with industry growth. "Some cruise lines are beginning to improve environmental performance through technology and improved management systems, but none of the major cruise lines have opted to support voluntary carbon offset initiatives," he says.

One expedition cruise company already has stepped up to STI's challenge. Adventure Smith Explorations offers expedition cruises and wilderness adventures in a pioneering approach that utilizes small ships and yachts to explore nature and wildlife up close. The company is the first North American-based small cruise ship operator to offset it passengers' fuel consumption related emissions through STI and its Web site,