Last week’s post about how Victoria’s residents are suffering due to sulfur dioxide being released in the air from docked cruise ships was disheartening. This week I found the Port of Metro Vancouver taking an initiative about this very problem. In 2009 Vancouver spent nine million dollars to be the first port in Canada and third in the world to offer shore power to docking cruise ships. This process allows for cruise ships to turn off their engines and run from the city’s electrical grid which greatly reduces emissions being released into the air. It is Vancouver’s hope to set standards that others will take on and follow.
The Port of Metro Vancouver has many other environmental initiatives such as Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, Truck Licensing Program, and EcoAction Program. Under the EcoAction Program Port Metro Vancouver has created the Blue Circle Award. This award provides a financial incentive for ships to reduce emission on their vessels. The award will recognize the highest emissions reduced.
Leading the way in Canada and really all around the world we can only hope that more and more cities will see the importance that the Port Metro Vancouver has seen in reducing emissions into our atmosphere. With an estimated 200 departures in the 2011 season from Metro Vancouver it is essential that other cities that hope to gain from the tourism revenue that cruise ships generate follow suit.
Below is the direct link where further information can be obtained about all of Port Metro Vancouver's initiatives.
http://www.portmetrovancouver.
http://www.portmetrovancouver.
No comments:
Post a Comment