All around the globe, cargo ships are used to transport “merchandise”. Their effect on global warming is worse than we thought.

We have to consider that the global warming is a huge danger for the future on Earth. This threat is caused by the CO2 in the atmosphere, principally because of cars, agriculture, deforestation, electricity generation and industries.

A few years ago, scientists proved that most of the CO2 emissions are also produced by the large amount of cargo ships travelling everywhere in the world. This industry generates approximately 800 billion tons of CO2, which is three times worse than we thought.

A recent study has shown that commercial ships can be critical for people’s health. Approximately 60 000 humans die every year because of pollution. Also, during the last decade, the temperature has become hotter and hotter every year. Icebergs are melting faster and water levels are increasing.

This information has been ignored by the government for a long time, but now that they are aware of this problem, they need to do something rapidly before it is too late. “These new figures highlight the shocking complacency of government, which have completely ignored shipping emissions”, said Caroline Lucas, green mep for south-east England.

To give you an idea about the situation, the 15 biggest boats used for trading in the world are more polluting than all the cars on earth, mostly because of the quality of fuel and the motor size.

Even if some people would like to stop commercial boats, this economical activity represents about 90% of the international trading. If we cease this, it will become difficult to get the things that we have now like: clothes, foods and gas because almost everything come by this means of transport. ‘’It’s globalization that could not exist without maritime traffic’’ said Niels Planel, an international consultant.  

We have to do something to solve this problem if we want a better future for our children.

Written by: Marysa Sirois

Edited by: Évelyne Tremblay, Madeline Ratté, Julia Labbé