Transcript:
With the warmer climate and the sea ice melting, ships are able to sail the once impassable Arctic region.
DAVIN: “This is bringing new opportunities for trade and development.”
But Sam Davin of the World Wildlife Foundation in Canada said that this also creates new problems for Arctic communities and wildlife.
Most ships burn heavy fuel, which can cause air pollution and may harm people's health.
So last year, the IMO approved new regulations to help limit some pollution in the Canadian Arctic.
They will ask ship operators to reduce airborne emissions – for example, by switching to cleaner fuels.
DAVIN: “But there is still a lot to do.”
For example, these rules allow for compliance with vessels using a technology called a scrubber.
DAVIN: “They captured the sulfur oxides emitted by the engine and boiler exhaust, mixed them with seawater to capture these pollutants, and then discharged them to the now contaminated seawater back into the ocean.”
He said the emissions are acidic and contain heavy metals and other pollutants, which could therefore damage marine ecosystems.
Therefore, he said more ambitious steps are needed to protect Arctic waters and people who depend on them.
Report Credit: Sarah Kennedy/Chavobart Digital Media
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