Earth Day 2019 Protect Our Species

 Happy Earth Day 2019
April 22nd

Protect Our Species

The world is facing the greatest rate of extinction since we lost the dinosaurs more than 60 million years ago!

But unlike the fate of the dinosaurs, the rapid extinction of species in our world today is the result of human activity!

We love cruising the world's oceans and waterways.  It is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the earth.  In order to continue doing so, we need to protect the oceans and our land for generations to come.  Each of you can help make a difference in the future of Mother Earth.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.

Earth Day Network’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Earth Day 2019 is dedicated to raise awareness about the accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species and the causes and consequences of this phenomenon. There are many resources on Earth Day Network's site.  Start by downloading their Protect Our Species Primer and Action Toolkit.

What You Need to Know About Coral Reefs 
 and How You Can Help Protect Them

Environmentally Conscious Vacation Experiences

Did you know that Cruise Lines offer an environmentally conscious vacation experience? 

CLIA Cruise Line Members lead, invest, and collaborate to minimize their ships’ impact on the environment.

Help End Plastic Pollution by finding out how many plastic items you consume every year 

and make a PLEDGE to reduce the amount.

Additional Resources:

 (click on the image to enlarge)

U.S. EPA | Earth Day

National Geographic for Kids

4Ocean Earth Day

A Global Concern

When we were in Southeast Asia last year we toured Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.  These signs underscore the need to take action to protect our environment.  We encourage you to start your education on this Earth Day 2019, and take steps to conserve and recycle during your vacations and daily lives.  

Thank you to CLIA, Participating Cruise Lines, EPA, Earth Day Network and their sponsors for efforts to educate and make changes necessary for sustainability.  And thank YOU for doing your part.  

We must work together to protect endangered and threatened species: bees, coral reefs, elephants, giraffes, insects, whales and more.

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Earth Day 2018 Protect Our Oceans

 Happy Earth Day 2018 
April 22nd

End Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is poisoning our oceans and land, injuring marine life, and affecting our health!

We love cruising the world's oceans and waterways.  It is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the earth.  In order to continue doing so, we need to protect the oceans and our land for generations to come.  Each of you can help make a difference in the future of Mother Earth.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.

Earth Day Network’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally change human attitude and behavior about plastics.

Help End Plastic Pollution by finding out how many plastic items you consume every year 

and make a PLEDGE to reduce the amount.

There are many resources on Earth Day Network's site.  Start by downloading their Plastic Pollution Primer and Action Toolkit.  We've embedded one of the videos here to get you started.

According to this video, we use plastic because it is durable and cheap to make. Only 10% of the plastic that is made gets recycled, and more than 70% of the plastic goes into natural ecosystems.

Environmentally Conscious Vacation Experiences

Did you know that Cruise Lines offer an environmentally conscious vacation experience? 

CLIA Cruise Line Members lead, invest, and collaborate to minimize their ships’ impact on the environment.

In last year's Earth Day post we shared Friends of the Earth’s annual Cruise Report Card which compared the environmental footprint of 17 major cruise lines and 171 cruise ships. View a PDF of the latest annual report card here.  Disney Cruise Line was the only cruise line to score an "A" grade in the latest report card posted on their website.

At Disney Cruise Line, we’re dedicated to minimizing our impact on the environment year around and are always looking for innovative ways to increase fuel efficiency, reduce waste and promote conservation worldwide. You can learn more about Disney Cruise Line environmental efforts and check out the entire Behind the Waves video series starring Jenna Ortega here.

(Source: Disney Park Blog)

Additional Resources:

 (click on the image to enlarge)

U.S. EPA | Earth Day

National Geographic for Kids

4Ocean Earth Day

A Global Concern

When we were in Southeast Asia earlier this year we toured Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.  These signs underscore the need to take action to protect our environment.  We encourage you to start your education on this Earth Day 2018, and take steps to conserve and recycle during your vacations and daily lives.  

Thank you to CLIA, Participating Cruise Lines, EPA, Earth Day Network and their sponsors for efforts to educate and make changes necessary for sustainability.  And thank YOU for doing your part.  

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Cruising Impact Earth Day 2017

 Happy Earth Day 2017 
April 22nd

How Green are Cruise Ships?

Cruise ships operate in every ocean worldwide taking thousands of passengers to all parts of the globe.   There is growing concern that these floating resorts are polluting the waterways and air with all the waste that is generated by normal operations.

Polluted discharges (of sewage, grey water and oily bilge water) and air emissions are the chief sources of problems, but they also mark the biggest potential areas for improvement.

Cruise Ship Environmental Report Card

click to enlarge images        click here for report

Friends of the Earth’s  annual  Cruise Report Card compares the environmental footprint of 17 major cruise lines and 171 cruise ships.  View a PDF of the latest annual report card here.

Disney Cruise Lines was the sole cruise line this year to earn an “A” for transparency by responding to information requests. Every other line, like the year before, refused to confirm its current environmental technologies, resulting in failing grades for transparency.   Read the press release.

Protect the Environment for Future Generations

Most people that love to cruise also have an interest in protecting the environment for the future.   We want to continue our quest to see more of the world, but at the same time, want to make sure Mother Earth is around for generations to come.  So, what can we as individuals do?

For those that are interested in doing your part (click the following links):   See #EarthDayEveryDay on EPA website.  Learn more about the FOE.


Is There Any Good News in the Report Card?

I have to admit that my initial reaction to the report card was one of shock.   The majority of the cruise lines have announced initiatives to protect the environment.   You'll see signs posted in your cabin encouraging you to reuse towels, just like you see in hotel rooms on land.   I have to give them the benefit of the doubt that they do intend to turn things around.

You be the judge - read about the various cruise lines' environmental initiatives.  Also form your own opinion while on your next cruise vacation.  We'd love to hear your feedback.   Together we can have a Happy Earth Day.

When on a cruise ship, do your part by doing the little things:   reuse your towel,  don't throw anything overboard, or pollute in any other way.

We share this information, not to make any cruise line look bad, but rather to call awareness to a growing problem which can seriously impact all living things if left unchecked.  Thank you for reading this article and for doing your part to protect the environment.

Special thanks to the EPA and FOE for their efforts and for publishing the information which was the basis of this article.

Cruise Line Sustainability Links

Here are links to the major contemporary cruise lines.  Search out your favorite cruise lines' environmental initiatives documentation.   If you don't find it, ask them why they aren't being transparent.

Carnival Corporation 2020 Sustainability Report   InfoGraphic

Celebrity Cruise Line Environmental Initiatives

Disney Cruise Line Environmental Overview   

Behind the Waves: DCL’s Commitment to Recycling (Video)

Norwegian Cruise Line Environmental Commitment

Royal Caribbean and the Environment

If you have followed our blog, you know that we began our love for cruising and the oceans over 30 years ago.   That love turned into a profession, which we share with all of you.   We are sharing this information as a wake up call to ourselves, and everyone that enjoys cruising and the destinations we visit.   Let's encourage the cruise line executives and those who travel to protect the future.

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Cruise Lines and Earth Day 2013

Earth Day 2013
 
What are the Cruise Lines Doing to Protect Our Environment?
What can YOU do?

Today is Earth Day.  For some it’s a day to reflect on the world around us and how it seems nature is hanging in the balance.  If we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that we are all a part of the problem.   Our livestyles have contributed to the state of the Earth and until recently, very little was being done about it.


How does cruising impact the Earth?

Each day thousands of passengers and crew take to the waves to visit remarkable places, ecosystems and species around the globe.   If you look at our city streets, you'll realize that we aren't always the neatest people.   Think about all the waste generated during a 7 day cruise.  It takes a lot of fuel to move these floating cities from port to port.  What impact do you think that has?   How about your favorite under the water past-time of visiting the ocean reefs of the world.  Do you thin the fish are happy to see you there?

Are these floating cities, we call cruise ships, eco-friendly?

Today we turn our focus to programs which have been put in place by many of the CLIA member cruise lines.  Here is a sample of what the major lines are doing in the name of protecting the earth.   Consult the websites of your favorite cruise line to see what they are doing.

Celebrity Cruises & Royal Caribbean

Happy Earth Day! Royal Caribbean is committed to environmental stewardship not just today, but every day. Find out how we help keep our oceans blue by running green with the help of Jamie Sweeting, Vice President for Environmental Stewardship and Global Chief Environmental Officer.

Royal Caribbean Is Celebrating Our Amazing Planet! Are You Celebrating Earth Day?

• We have a dedicated Environmental Officer on each of our ships to oversee our environmental stewardship policies and practices. 
•  We consume about 20 to 50 gallons less of fresh water per person per day on our ships, compared to the average person living in the United States
•  We are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by one-third per person per day by 2015, from a 2005 baseline. In fact in 2010, these efforts translated into a 4.7-percent reduction in fuel consumption per average passenger cruise day over 2009 levels.  Our goal for 2011 is to reduce our fuel consumption by another 5.4 percent.
•  In 2010, we reduced the amount of waste landed ashore from our ships to just 1.15 pounds per person per day, a reduction of 19 percent from the previous year and 47 percent from 2007 levels. As a point of comparison, the average solid waste footprint per person in the United States is approximately 4.3 pounds per day.
• In 1996, we launched the Ocean Fund, which supports marine conservation organizations in safeguarding the health of the world’s oceans.  Since the fund’s establishment, we have contributed more than $11 million to 66 organizations around the world. 

Save the Waves® 
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Reduce the generation of waste material, reuse and recycle wherever possible, and properly dispose of remaining wastes.

The Ocean Fund

 In 1996, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (which operates Celebrity Cruises) established the Ocean Fund to support global marine conservation efforts. 

Outreach & Achievements

Keeping our oceans clean doesn't just make good business sense. It's critical to the future of our planet. And you don't have to look far to find examples of our efforts on our ships.

Environmental Initiatives

Carnival Corporation & PLC / Holland America 

In collaboration with the Marine Conservation Institute - a national and globally focused nonprofit organization based in Washington State dedicated to maintaining healthy, living oceans - Holland America Line will debut an in-stateroom video series onboard all its 15 cruise ships highlighting the importance of ocean conservation. 

The "Our Marvelous Oceans" videos can also be viewed at http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/WSBw-r2B-nb7 or at the Marine Conservation Institute website at www.marine-conservation.org. Find more information on Twitter, Facebook and on the blog Marine Conservation News.



Norwegian Cruise Line

Happy Earth Day! At Norwegian we are so passionate about preserving our oceans that we’ve made environmental protection one of our core company values. We’re leading the cruise industry with the innovative environmental policies and technologies we’ve implemented—from garbage, waste and recycling programs to preventing incidents involving pollution to reducing our operational impact on the environment—just to name a few. In 2011 alone we recycled: 345 Tons of cardboard, 576 tons of scrap metal, 2,035 tons of glass, 720 tons of aluminum and 476 tons of plastic!

Environmental Commitment & Protection of oceans & Shores | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruise Lines and Earth Day 2012

Earth Day 2012

Are these floating cities, we call cruise ships, eco-friendly?

As we mark the 42nd Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2012, we turn our focus to the cruise industry.  Each day, thousands of passengers sail to destinations across the globe in these vessels which  have the potential of conserving or wasting our national resources.   A lot depends on the efforts of the cruise lines and the cooperation of those that sail.

Today we turn our focus to programs which have been put in place by many of the CLIA member cruise lines.  Here is a sample of what the major lines are doing in the name of protecting the earth.   Consult the websites of your favorite cruise line to see what they are doing.

Celebrity Cruises & Royal Caribbean

Happy Earth Day! Royal Caribbean is committed to environmental stewardship not just today, but every day. Find out how we help keep our oceans blue by running green with the help of Jamie Sweeting, Vice President for Environmental Stewardship and Global Chief Environmental Officer.

Royal Caribbean Is Celebrating Our Amazing Planet! Are You Celebrating Earth Day?

Save the Waves® 
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Reduce the generation of waste material, reuse and recycle wherever possible, and properly dispose of remaining wastes.

The Ocean Fund

 In 1996, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (which operates Celebrity Cruises) established the Ocean Fund to support global marine conservation efforts. 

Outreach & Achievements

Keeping our oceans clean doesn't just make good business sense. It's critical to the future of our planet. And you don't have to look far to find examples of our efforts on our ships. 

Environmental Initiatives

Carnival Corporation & PLC / Holland America 

In collaboration with the Marine Conservation Institute - a national and globally focused nonprofit organization based in Washington State dedicated to maintaining healthy, living oceans - Holland America Line will debut an in-stateroom video series onboard all its 15 cruise ships highlighting the importance of ocean conservation. 

The "Our Marvelous Oceans" videos can also be viewed at http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/WSBw-r2B-nb7 or at the Marine Conservation Institute website at www.marine-conservation.org. Find more information on Twitter, Facebook and on the blog Marine Conservation News.



Norwegian Cruise Line

Happy Earth Day! At Norwegian we are so passionate about preserving our oceans that we’ve made environmental protection one of our core company values. We’re leading the cruise industry with the innovative environmental policies and technologies we’ve implemented—from garbage, waste and recycling programs to preventing incidents involving pollution to reducing our operational impact on the environment—just to name a few. In 2011 alone we recycled: 345 Tons of cardboard, 576 tons of scrap metal, 2,035 tons of glass, 720 tons of aluminum and 476 tons of plastic!

Environmental Commitment & Protection of oceans & Shores | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line