Abandon Ship?

The world's biggest cruise liners have doubled in size since 2000. These vessels have also shown a 20-fold increase in numbers, since 1970. Cruise ships are very energy intensive. They pumped out 17% more carbon dioxide in 2022, than they did in 2019. Their methane (a gas 28 times more potent as a 'greenhouse gas' than carbon dioxide) emissions, also shot up by massive 500%. This, increasingly popular activity is far from 'green' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/07/cruisezilla-passenger-ships-have-doubled-in-size-since-2000-campaigners-warn). In spite of these truisms, some cruise operators have tried to claim an ecofriendly tag. Expert opinion notes, however, that cruise ships play only a minor role in global tourism. In spite of this, they are relatively unmatched in terms of their energy useage and emissions. This is especially so, as passengers generally fly to and from the ship's point of departure. Going on cruises, is yet another activity, where relatively wealthy folk make an outsized contribution to global heating and climate change. This activity needs careful regulation, perhaps reflected in higher taxes. It has, however, always been difficult to link the emissions generated by shipping, to a particular country. It's the way they operate.