Abstract: In the European Union, air pollution caused by shipping has increased. There is an idea that either climate change or air pollution can be solved, but not both. The effects of different pollutants leads to a complex effect on climate.
Author: The European Environment Agency is a subgroup of European Union. The group’s goal is to provide independent environmental information. This is an important group because many EU policies are based on the research done by the EEA.
“European Union emission inventory report 1990–2013 under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP)” __http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/lrtap-emission-inventory-report__ “Costs of air pollution from European industrial facilities 2008-2012” __http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/international-shipping-should-cut-air__ Main Argument: The effect of pollution on the the European environment should be evaluated as a whole, complex system. Pollution from shipping is a main contributor to environment quality in Europe, especially in port cities. Support: Greenhouse gases have a warming effect on the environment, while other pollutants like aerosols have a cooling effect. Therefore, it is difficult to determine how much each pollutant comes into play. 70% of ship emissions occur within 400km of the coastline worldwide, and is even greater around European ports. Ships are a main contributor to air pollution. Pollution from ships can contribute 20-30% of PM2.5, and nearly 80% of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide pollutants. Quotes: “Compared to other economic sectors, shipping is currently one of the most unregulated sources of air pollution. The report highlights that some success has been achieved through EU legislation, especially on sulphur content of marine bunker fuels where limits are stricter than the international standards.” This quotes supports changing of governance of shipping and shows how legislation has already been effective in making positive change. “There is a clear link between economic growth and the movement of goods, so emissions from shipping currently change in step with the level of economic activity. Carbon dioxide emissions from international shipping departing from EU ports increased by approximately 35 % between 1990 and 2010...However, most emissions types have decreased since 2006, possibly due to the economic downturn and the legislation reducing SO2 levels.” This quote shows how changes in the economy can have large impacts on the environment, and how legislation can counteract those impacts. “Better fuel efficiency may be the easiest way to cut both air pollution and greenhouse gases, the report says, recommending technical improvements and also different ship operating procedures. If ships reduced their speed by 10 %, known as ‘slow steaming’, it could cut energy demand by approximately 19 %, according to one study. Some shipping sectors are already switching to liquid natural gas (LNG), leading to an eradication of SO2 emissions, 80 % reduction of NOx and 20 % reduction of CO2.” These are different changes that can be put in place to reduce air pollution. This data would be very helpful in governance of ship pollution regulation. Methods/Tools/Reports: This article mentioned several studies, but did not note their names in the article or in a bibliography. This seems uncommon for official documents to not note their sources. Disparities: Europe faces some of the most intense pollution from ships because of its large amount of industrial trade and large amount of coastline with navigable ports. Those near ports and coastlines are affected more by ship pollution. References/Discussion: This article seemed to be written for the average citizen, not a policy maker or researcher because it was written without a lot of technical terms or clear references. It was not clear where this article has been referenced. Follow-up Research into what the foundation of the EEA was helpful. In addition, many publications of the EEA have to do with air pollution. It should be noted that there were no articles related to asthma on the website. Most other reports by the EEA were summary reports or results of policy changes. Thematics
There continues to be considerable distance between air quality sciences and health sciences, and between government agencies responsible for environment, health, transportation, education, and other elements of the air pollution calculus. Stakeholders often refer to the problem as one of “stove-pipes” and “research silos.” The EEA is different from a “research silo” because it was created specifically to provide research and data to make policy changes.
There is a growing need for capacity to characterize pollutants from distant (sometimes international) sources; enhanced capacity for this will in turn create complex transboundary governance challenges. This article sites the effect of ships at sea on inland pollution. Ships in international waters can have a create effect on an individual nation.
Ports have become important sites of air pollution monitoring, modelling, and mitigation, but present particular challenges. Port cities especially are affected by ship pollution.
Abstract: In the European Union, air pollution caused by shipping has increased. There is an idea that either climate change or air pollution can be solved, but not both. The effects of different pollutants leads to a complex effect on climate.
Author: The European Environment Agency is a subgroup of European Union. The group’s goal is to provide independent environmental information. This is an important group because many EU policies are based on the research done by the EEA.
“European Union emission inventory report 1990–2013 under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP)” __http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/lrtap-emission-inventory-report__
“Costs of air pollution from European industrial facilities 2008-2012” __http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/international-shipping-should-cut-air__
Main Argument:
The effect of pollution on the the European environment should be evaluated as a whole, complex system. Pollution from shipping is a main contributor to environment quality in Europe, especially in port cities.
Support:
Greenhouse gases have a warming effect on the environment, while other pollutants like aerosols have a cooling effect. Therefore, it is difficult to determine how much each pollutant comes into play.
70% of ship emissions occur within 400km of the coastline worldwide, and is even greater around European ports. Ships are a main contributor to air pollution.
Pollution from ships can contribute 20-30% of PM2.5, and nearly 80% of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide pollutants.
Quotes:
“Compared to other economic sectors, shipping is currently one of the most unregulated sources of air pollution. The report highlights that some success has been achieved through EU legislation, especially on sulphur content of marine bunker fuels where limits are stricter than the international standards.” This quotes supports changing of governance of shipping and shows how legislation has already been effective in making positive change.
“There is a clear link between economic growth and the movement of goods, so emissions from shipping currently change in step with the level of economic activity. Carbon dioxide emissions from international shipping departing from EU ports increased by approximately 35 % between 1990 and 2010...However, most emissions types have decreased since 2006, possibly due to the economic downturn and the legislation reducing SO2 levels.” This quote shows how changes in the economy can have large impacts on the environment, and how legislation can counteract those impacts.
“Better fuel efficiency may be the easiest way to cut both air pollution and greenhouse gases, the report says, recommending technical improvements and also different ship operating procedures. If ships reduced their speed by 10 %, known as ‘slow steaming’, it could cut energy demand by approximately 19 %, according to one study. Some shipping sectors are already switching to liquid natural gas (LNG), leading to an eradication of SO2 emissions, 80 % reduction of NOx and 20 % reduction of CO2.” These are different changes that can be put in place to reduce air pollution. This data would be very helpful in governance of ship pollution regulation.
Methods/Tools/Reports:
This article mentioned several studies, but did not note their names in the article or in a bibliography. This seems uncommon for official documents to not note their sources.
Disparities:
Europe faces some of the most intense pollution from ships because of its large amount of industrial trade and large amount of coastline with navigable ports. Those near ports and coastlines are affected more by ship pollution.
References/Discussion:
This article seemed to be written for the average citizen, not a policy maker or researcher because it was written without a lot of technical terms or clear references. It was not clear where this article has been referenced.
Follow-up
Research into what the foundation of the EEA was helpful. In addition, many publications of the EEA have to do with air pollution. It should be noted that there were no articles related to asthma on the website. Most other reports by the EEA were summary reports or results of policy changes.
Thematics