Taking steps to reduce carbon footprints with awareness, action and education

Earth: (noun) the planet on which we live; the world. Through the years it has been just that, a planet, a place to call home, yet it is the one unwavering common factor in society. But now with common terms like Tesla, hybrid and LEED finding their way to dinner tables and water coolers across the globe, this 4.5-billion-year-old planet is gaining fans fast.

No longer is being “green” confused with illness, but instead the term is now synonymous with a lifestyle that is poignantly aware of the environmental impact or footprint it causes. Whether at a corporate or personal level, each person has something to gain by preserving our planet: a remarkable place to call home.

By building awareness, action and education, those new fans soon can become advocates.

The cruise industry is no stranger to environmental concerns. After all, its business model relies on the oceans to bring excited travelers across thousands of miles of ocean to beautiful beaches and stunning destinations around the world.

Energy-efficient ships are a start. Royal Caribbean has equipped its newest ships with hull designs that reduce drag, efficient electronic fuel injection diesel engines, advanced light-dimming systems, advanced wastewater purification systems and state-of-the-art recycling facilities.

In addition, onboard Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the two largest cruise ships in the world,the cruise line are now able to repurpose 100 percent of the waste offloaded in South Florida after each cruise. This was achieved after working together with local authorities, its vendors and a tremendous amount of hard work and innovation by the onboard crews and is now expanding to over 10 more RCL ships in the area.

Regulation also plays a key role. Member cruise lines of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) must adhere to strict requirements and regulations for waste management and discharge, as well as air emissions. Rich Pruitt, Vice President of Safety and Environmental Stewardship at Royal CaribbeanCruises Ltd., confirms, “it is all about ABC…that is, going Above and Beyond Compliance. The industry is continuously pushing the envelope toward doing a better job.”

Being a step ahead

While energy-efficient ships and environmentally conscious initiatives go a long way, more can always be done. A step in the right direction pairs Royal Caribbean and two of its ships, Explorer of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, with the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) to gather real-time data from the ocean and the atmosphere.

Climate change affects marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, which are critical to not only marine species’ health, but, subsequently, goods and services the coral reefs provide, such as coastal protection, income from tourism, and for often the poorest populations in the world, their livelihoods and sustenance. The RSMAS labs on Royal Caribbean ships provide important data that have been cited in over 200 academic papers worldwide.

Raising Awareness

Cruise ships bring guests to beautiful locations, like Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, CocoCay, which was awarded a Gold-Level Eco-Certification by STEP. Through programs like Save the Waves, the cruise line also reinforces to guests the importance of being vigilant. While onboard Royal Caribbean ships, guests are expected to comply with waste disposal and recycling rules. This companywide philosophy focused on reducing, reusing and recycling waste is integrated into daily operations on every ship.

With the advancement of technology and cooperation from everyone at sea, and on land, our environment can be preserved, ensuring that the beauty of oceans and coastal communities can thrive for generations to come.

For more: http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/article/protecting-the-environment-is-everyones-business/