An announcement:<\/p>\n
The U.N. group that oversees the global shipping industry agreed Friday to slash the sector\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions in coming decades in an attempt to limit future global warming.<\/p>\n
The landmark deal \u2014 for a polluting industry that has traditionally been resistant to change \u2014 includes a standout pledge to reduce its emissions to net-zero \u201cby or about 2050.\u201d<\/p>\n
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) had earlier pledged to reduce its emissions by half by 2050, so Friday\u2019s agreement is a clear advance. [WaPo<\/strong><\/a>]<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Drew this reaction, the harshest in the article:<\/p>\n
John Maggs, president of the Clean Shipping Coalition, representing environmental groups pushing for greater reductions in emissions, said: \u201cThere is no excuse for this wish-and-a-prayer agreement. The level of ambition agreed is far short of what is needed to be sure of keeping global heating below 1.5 Celsius, and the language seemingly contrived to be vague and noncommittal.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I worry that reactions like this are less criticism and more attempts to build a position in the power structure by belittling the shipping industry. Compare to this:<\/p>\n
Whit Sheard, an expert in shipping emissions at the environmental group Ocean Conservancy, said the IMO has sent \u201ca strong signal by historically committing to fully decarbonizing the shipping sector but has missed an enormous opportunity to cut emissions immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
The United States and other countries were pushing for deeper cuts in shipping emissions much sooner.<\/p>\n
\u201cCaving to fossil fuel interests in the short term leaves a lot of work for industry and individual countries in the face of a global climate crisis,\u201d Sheard said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
While critical, it’s delivered in a positive manner that recognizes belittled people rarely find reasons to cooperate with the arrogance exhibited by the belittlers. I get it, the shipping industry isn’t as cooperative as it might be, so putting a positive spin on a disappointing announcement can be difficult – but why throw gravel in the machinery?<\/p>\n
Incidentally,<\/p>\n
Another way for ships to immediately reduce emissions would be to slow down \u2014 essentially adhering to new voluntary \u201cspeed limits\u201d in the ocean. Modern cargo vessels are capable of doing 25 knots. Soon, they may be \u201cslow-steaming\u201d at half that speed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
That’ll reduce trips, which will reduce profits – or, if that’s not tolerable, force prices higher. Which, in turn, may give consumers reasons not to consume.<\/p>\n
All to the good, actually. A bit more here<\/a> on gCaptain<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An announcement: The U.N. group that oversees the global shipping industry agreed Friday to slash the sector\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions in coming decades in an attempt to limit future global warming. The landmark deal \u2014 for a polluting industry that has traditionally been resistant to change \u2014 includes a standout \u2026 Continue reading