Interesting take on the cruise ship industry by Dan Goethel
Although I wont argue for or against cruises, this article clearly combines the cons of both passenger ships and container ships. Obviously, neither are good for the environment. But, there is a larger issue at play beyond the rise of cruise ships as a source of middle class leisure. First is the global economy and the increasing reliance on global shipping (instead of local made goods). My guess is that the likes of Amazon and other international shipping companies that ship cheap, substandard goods (made in countries with 'lower' labor standards) is a much larger environmental concern than the comparatively smaller cruising industry, especially when including associated shipping by plane. Second, given the thankful rise in the international middle class and associated leisure time and expendable income, it is inevitable that more people will travel. The question is: is it more economically friendly for us to fly around the world and travel independently or is there an economy (and ecosystem) of scale where combining this travel into mass groups might actually be more environmentally friendly? This is an especially interesting argument if more cruises leave from home ports where the passengers do not need to fly (or only travel short distances) to arrive at the embarcation port, which is becoming more common in Europe and China. Conversely, it is a bit unfair to not discuss the horrible environmental impacts of million dollar yachts owned by billionaires when discussing the cruising industry. Why do we bash the middle class for trying to make the best of their lives, while millionaires ruin the environment by going to sea and space and the rest of us foot the environmental bill? Finally, as much as cruise destinations are often overwhelmed and forever altered by becoming cruise ports, there is an undeniable economic addition to countries that desperately need tourism income. It might lead to changes that we, from a first world privileged outlook, disdain, but we cant look down on poorer countries doing anything needed to make money and support their local economies. It is the classic first world 'do as we say not as we did' argument. We want you to remain pristine underprivileged countries even though we became comfortably middle class by destroying our own ecosystems then exploiting yours before deciding you shouldn't do the same. Anyway, I agree that the cruise industry has much to be accountable for and should be held to much higher standards. It is not my preferred form of travel, but I can certainly understand the appeal for many. Ultimately, though, there are bigger issues than one industry catered towards a growing middle class that is trying to find a way to enjoy their leisure time. Until we all start declining to fly, start buying local, and hold billionaires as responsible for their leisure travel emissions, then I'm not sure railing on middle class leisure activities is all that useful. But that is just my opinion.
By Dan Goethel