Cruising towards carbon zero: the evolution of ocean travel
Jessica Martyn
It’s no secret that the natural environment needs our protection – but there are plenty of well-kept secrets in the cruise industry, both in terms of new destinations and lessons in conservation.
When it comes to the natural environment, ignorance has often proven dangerous – just take the many instances of introduced species becoming serial pests, and, in some cases, threatening to destroy entire ecosystems.
In essence, learning more about the world we live in is key to better caring for it, and the discovery of its many hidden wonders will surely inspire us to do so even more.
Ocean travel is one of the best ways to access many of the world’s most protected and least travelled parts of our world.
Cruise liners can give groups of travellers access to destinations that would be otherwise impossible, particularly with recent design innovations producing smaller, more agile vessels without compromising on the sense of luxury that is synonymous with cruising.
Despite its reputation for adding to air and water pollution, the international cruise liner industry takes its responsibility for environmental protection very seriously. In fact, cruise ship companies are turning their attention not only to preserving the natural world in a number of innovative ways, but also educating passengers through experiences both onboard and onshore.
Innovative ship designs and practices are crucial to minimising the environmental impact of the cruise industry, and industry leaders have implemented a range of key updates in recent years, including:
- The implementation of advanced wastewater treatment systems
- Cleaner, liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel
- The elimination of single-use plastics; and
- Investment in energy-efficient engines, appliances and LED lights, as well as hull coatings that reduce friction and fuel consumption.
- Fleet innovations to develop a new generation of zero-emission vessels
Maximising environmental benefit is also about exposing travellers to locations that lie off the beaten track, and creating educational experiences onboard as well as on the land in the destinations they visit.
Even as new unique and bespoke travel opportunities have multiplied, there have remained so many relatively untouched parts of the world – from the secret islands of Kyushu, Japan, to the unforgettable Inuit spring in Reykjavik.
By embracing “conscious” cruise exploration and opportunities to learn more about the world we live in, we can all live up to our potential as stewards of the earth. After all, we protect what we know best.
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