Extinction Rebellion blocks locks at IJmuiden against cruise shipping for the second time this weekend

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1. Translation: Extinction Rebellion blocks locks at IJmuiden against cruise shipping for the second time this weekend

   08/11/2024

   This afternoon, August 11, activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) once again blocked the locks at IJmuiden. They protest against the arrival of cruise ship Seven Seas Mariner and against the destructive impact on the climate of cruise shipping. It can be followed live via a live stream on Instagram and xrtv.nl.

   In the afternoon of August 11, rebels again blocked the locks at IJmuiden. This action focuses on the serious pollution caused by cruise shipping. They deliberately delay the arrival of the cruise ship, the Seven Seas Mariner. Extinction Rebellion, in light of the current climate and ecological crisis, is calling for an immediate cessation of the cruise industry.

   Extreme pollution from toxic emissions:

   Cruise ships often look very clean, but their engines are anything but. The number of cruise ships, the time they spend in the ports and the fuel they consume have all increased tremendously in recent years. This results in an increase in pollution with sulphur oxides, nitrogen and particulate matter – all dangerous forms of air pollution.

   The ‘cruisezillas’ are bigger than ever. Cruise ships pumped out as much as 17% more carbon dioxide in 2022 than in 2019, and methane emissions increased by as much as 500% in the same period. [1] Commercial cruise ships are among the biggest polluters on our planet. This concerns the emission of harmful sulphur oxides (SOx): gases that can cause lung cancer and acid rain. According to the think tank Transport & Environment, all 203 cruise ships operating in European waters in 2017 effer a total of 62 kilotons of sulphur oxides (SOx). In the same period, Europe’s 260 million registered vehicles’ emissions were ‘only’ 3.2 kilotons, a study shows. [2]

   The blocked cruise ship Seven Seas Mariner, with 12 passenger decks, 5 restaurants, a swimming pool, a length of 216 meters, a width of 28.8 meters, 779 passengers and 450 crew members, is almost the example of unprecedented luxury that seems to be reserved only for the richest in the world. Where the poorest suffer daily from the consequences of the climate and ecological crisis, thousands of people are on the run from extreme heat, droughts and failed harvests, ships like the Seven Seas Mariner exacerbate the crisis we are in the middle.

   Friends Of The Earth (foe.org) has been researching the environmental aspects of cruise ships for years. The Seven Seas Mariner has also been investigated, according to four environmental criteria: Sewage Treatment, Reduction of Air Pollution, Compliance with Water Quality and Transparency. In 2022, the Seven Seas Mariner at Friends of The Earth received a rating B, which means: ‘satisfactory’, so acceptable. A is highest and F lowest ranking. But this ‘satisfactory’ is a comparison with other cruise ships and therefore says nothing about how polluting they are, compared to other ways of holidaying.

   The shipping company Regent Seven Seas Cruises, writes on their website that they have a ‘Global sustainability program’ called: Sail & Sustain. In it they write: ‘Our ‘Sail and Sustain- program’ is focused on our aim to have a positive impact on society and the environment and at the same time to make our vision of being the holiday of choice for everyone around the world’. Anyone can download the annual reports of their ‘Sail and Sustain’, but these documents are interspersed with beautiful, green-colored images that hide reality. Yes, it has no less than 88 pages in 2023, but don’t be fooled by the beautiful presentation. This report is a poignant example of greenwashing: beautiful words and plans that are far from being turned into deeds. It is high time we no longer settle for vague promises and focus on real, concrete action to protect our planet.

   Cruise ships are a major source of environmental pollution, where both air, water and soil are polluted, vulnerable habitats are affected, but also have a major impact on human health and must therefore be stopped immediately.

2. Live stream here: [xrtv.nl](https://xrtv.nl/)

3. cruises are so weird, i do not understand the appeal at all.

4. This is a more productive protest than throwing paint on artwork.