Meghan Hodges
Amy Freeze is an American television meteorologist and an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster. She has worked with several news channels, including ABC, NBC, and FOX, and has received numerous accolades for her work in weather forecasting and reporting. Freeze is also an adventurer, having climbed several mountain peaks and completed nine marathons. However, the focus of this discussion is not her illustrious career or adventurous endeavours but rather the concept of food miles and its environmental implications. Food miles refer to the distance food travels from farm to table, contributing to its carbon footprint. This topic is essential because reducing food miles can help mitigate our negative environmental impact and combat global food waste, a significant issue in our transition to a sustainable future.
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What You'll Learn
The dangers of antifreeze for dogs
Antifreeze is a life-threatening danger to dogs if ingested. It contains ethylene glycol, a sweet-tasting, odourless liquid that can be attractive to dogs. Even a tiny amount can result in severe poisoning and fatality. The chemical is quickly absorbed by a dog's system, and acts on the central nervous system. The liver then metabolizes the chemical into hazardous byproducts that damage the kidneys and shut down urine production. This can lead to kidney failure, which has a poor prognosis and is often fatal.
The initial signs of antifreeze poisoning include lethargy, vomiting, incoordination, excessive urination, excessive thirst, hypothermia, seizures, and coma. These symptoms can appear within 30 minutes of ingestion. After an apparent recovery, around 2-3 days later, the dog's kidneys may stop working properly, and they may become very tired, be sick, go off their food, and develop seizures or a coma.
It is critical that you contact a veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately if you know or suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze. Do not wait for symptoms to develop, as delayed treatment may not be effective. The quicker the dog is treated, the better. There are antidotes to antifreeze, but they are most effective if given within 8-12 hours of ingestion.
To prevent antifreeze poisoning in dogs, it is important to keep all chemicals, including antifreeze and screen wash, out of reach of dogs and to clean up any spills immediately. If your dog has walked through antifreeze, wash their paws with soap and water straight away. Dog-safe antifreeze products also exist, which contain propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol, and do not pose the same danger to dogs.
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How to dispose of antifreeze
Antifreeze, also known as radiator coolant, is an important component in your car's engine that helps regulate its temperature and prevent overheating. While it plays a crucial role in maintaining your vehicle's performance, improper disposal of antifreeze can have detrimental effects on the environment. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to dispose of antifreeze responsibly:
Absorb and Contain the Spill:
If you have spilled antifreeze, the first step is to contain the spill and prevent it from spreading. Use baking soda or kitty litter to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Cover the affected area generously to ensure that the spill is under control.
Wipe and Clean the Area:
After allowing the absorbent material to sit for a couple of hours, use paper towels to wipe and soak up any remaining residue. Dispose of these paper towels in a sealed plastic bag and place it in the trash. Then, scrub the area with liquid soap and water to neutralize any remaining contaminants.
Dispose of Uncontaminated Antifreeze:
If you have old antifreeze that is uncontaminated, you can take it to a service station or auto repair shop that accepts spent coolants for disposal. Contact your local shops to inquire about their policies and procedures for accepting antifreeze. Additionally, check your state's waste management website for guidelines on antifreeze recycling or disposal. Your local recycling center or government office may also provide useful information.
Dispose of Contaminated Antifreeze:
Antifreeze can become tainted with heavy metals due to rust in the engine or contaminated with oil or gasoline if the engine has a damaged head gasket. In such cases, your local service stations or auto repair shops may refuse to accept it. Contaminated antifreeze is considered a RCRA hazardous waste, and you may need to contact an appropriate facility or hire a "permitted" waste hauler to transport it to a licensed coolant disposal facility. Make sure to transport and handle contaminated antifreeze in accordance with federal regulations and guidelines.
Do Not Dump or Pour Down Drains:
It is essential to emphasize that you should never dump or pour antifreeze onto the ground or down drains, even if it is diluted. Doing so can lead to environmental contamination and cause harm to water sources, flora, and fauna. Always opt for proper disposal methods to ensure that you are not contributing to ecological damage.
By following these instructions, you can ensure that your antifreeze disposal is handled responsibly and safely. Remember to seek expert advice if you have any doubts or concerns about the process.
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Cruise ships illegally dumping waste
Cruise ships are not environmentally friendly. They all negatively impact the planet, with some cruise lines decimating our oceans by illegally dumping plastic waste, destroying coral, and filling our oceans with toxic waste.
Cruise ships generate a large amount of waste. During a typical one-week voyage, a large cruise ship with 3,000 passengers and crew is estimated to generate 210,000 US gallons of sewage, 1 million US gallons of greywater, 130 US gallons of hazardous waste, 8 tons of solid waste, and 25,000 US gallons of oily bilge water.
While cruise ships are not legally allowed to dump trash in the oceans, some cruise lines have been caught discarding trash into the ocean, increasing plastic pollution that can choke and kill marine wildlife. Food waste is also discharged into the ocean. When food is prepared but goes uneaten, it is ground up and mixed with water until it is liquified by an industrial grinder. This food waste has been linked to "dead zones" in the ocean: areas with a lack of oxygen in the water due to rampant algae growth, which can be toxic to fish, turtles, birds, dolphins, and more.
Cruise ships also emit large amounts of greenhouse gases and toxic air pollution. Every single part of the ship, from the spas to the restaurants to the casinos, runs on massive diesel generators that belch carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other toxic pollutants into the air.
Some large cruise shipping lines have violated regulations by illegally bypassing the onboard oily water separator and discharging untreated oily wastewater. These violations have been prosecuted and resulted in large fines. In 2002, the Carnival Corporation pleaded guilty in the United States District Court in Miami to criminal charges related to falsifying records of the oil-contaminated bilge water that six of its ships dumped into the sea from 1996 to 2001. The Carnival Corporation was ordered to pay $18 million in fines and perform community service, received five years of probation, and had to submit to a court-supervised worldwide environmental compliance program for each of its cruise ships. For dumping oily waste into the seas and attempting a cover-up, Princess Cruise Lines was fined $40 million in 2016.
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The environmental impact of cruise ship waste
Cruise ships have a significant environmental impact, causing air pollution and water pollution and contributing to climate change. With the global cruise market expected to grow at an annual rate of 11.5% from 2023 to 2030, the environmental consequences of cruise tourism are becoming increasingly important to address.
Cruise ships generate vast amounts of sewage and greywater, which often ends up in the ocean, polluting the water and harming marine ecosystems. Greywater is wastewater from sinks, baths, showers, laundry, and galleys. A large cruise ship with over 7,000 passengers and crew can produce an estimated 210,000 gallons of sewage and 1 million gallons of greywater in just one week. This wastewater is released into the ocean, containing bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can have detrimental effects on marine life and coastal ecosystems.
In addition to water pollution, cruise ships contribute significantly to air pollution. They traditionally rely on fossil fuels, with a medium-sized vessel producing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 12,000 cars. Even the most efficient vessels emit more carbon dioxide per passenger per kilometre than a passenger jet. When docked, ships use auxiliary engines that emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur oxides, affecting local air quality and creating noise pollution.
The impact of cruise ship waste is not limited to pollution but also extends to the destruction of fragile habitats and the disruption of coastal communities. The sheer size of modern cruise ships, some capable of holding over 9,000 people, poses a significant threat to vulnerable areas. The dumping of waste and ballast water further contaminates coral reefs and destroys marine life.
While international regulations exist to limit the disposal of waste into the ocean, non-compliance and violations persist. Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company, has a history of environmental violations, paying millions of dollars in fines. Despite these concerns, there is a growing movement towards more sustainable practices in the cruise industry. Norway, for example, is leading the way with advanced wastewater treatment systems, cleaner fuels, and zero-emission cruise ships. Ulstein, a Norwegian shipbuilder, is developing a power solution called Ulstein Zed, which will enable large cruise ships to operate emission-free for a full day. Coastal cruise operator Havila Voyages is also constructing hybrid passenger ships that will run on liquefied natural gas and battery power, reducing CO₂ emissions by 25%.
As the environmental consequences of cruise ship waste become more apparent, it is essential to hold the industry accountable and encourage the adoption of greener technologies and practices. While there are positive initiatives, the overall impact of cruise ships on the environment remains significant, and further efforts are needed to mitigate their pollution and protect fragile ecosystems.
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The regulations around ship waste disposal
The discharge of waste from ships has been a significant contributor to ocean pollution. To combat this, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, or MARPOL, was established. This convention sets out regulations for the proper handling and disposal of waste generated on ships, with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of maritime activities.
MARPOL Annex V, specifically, addresses the issue of garbage disposal from ships. This annex applies to all ships operating in the marine environment, regardless of their type, including merchant ships, fixed or floating platforms, and non-commercial vessels like pleasure crafts and yachts. The annex generally prohibits the discharge of any garbage into the sea, with specific exceptions outlined in its regulations. These exceptions include regulations for food waste, cargo residues, cleaning agents, additives, and animal carcasses.
To ensure compliance with MARPOL Annex V, ships are required to implement a comprehensive garbage management plan. This plan outlines procedures for minimizing, collecting, storing, processing, and disposing of garbage, utilizing the equipment on board. The regulation also mandates the display of placards notifying passengers and crew of the disposal requirements in multiple languages, including English, French, or Spanish when travelling to other states' ports.
Additionally, ships of 100 gross tonnage and above, or certified to carry 15 or more persons, are required to maintain a Garbage Record Book. This logbook details all disposal and incineration operations, recording the date, time, position of the ship, description of the garbage, and the estimated amount incinerated or discharged. The Garbage Record Book must be retained for two years after the last entry, facilitating the enforcement of regulations and ensuring that ship personnel take responsibility for waste management.
The MEPC committee introduced an amendment to MARPOL Annex V in March 2018, differentiating between hazardous and non-hazardous waste. This amendment further classified garbage onboard ships to facilitate easier handling and disposal, including classifications for ground-down paper products, rags, glass, metal bottles, crockery, and cargo residues. It is important to note that the disposal of plastics at sea is strictly prohibited under MARPOL Annex V.
Australia, for example, has implemented Annex V of MARPOL through its legislative requirements and guidelines. Australian regulations emphasize the provision of adequate reception facilities in ports and terminals to accommodate the waste streams generated during normal ship operations. These regulations also outline the roles and responsibilities of shipowners, operators, crews, cargo owners, and equipment manufacturers in complying with waste management protocols.
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