A group of environmental advocacy firms have asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take urgent action against the pollution caused by large ships. Oceana, Friends of the Earth and the Center for Biological Diversity have signed a petition, which was filed by Earthjustice, the leading US law firm, which advocates causes dear to the Earth.
"Global warming pollution from ships is a substantial problem. But fortunately, it's one that can be solved," said Danielle Fugere of Friends of the Earth. "Slower speeds, cleaner fuels, better ships – the steps that the shipping industry must take are clear. It's up to the EPA to ensure these steps are taken."
The groups argue that the April 2007 decision by the Supreme Court gives the power to the EPA to act on global warming under the Clean Air Act. The petition says that marine vessels pose a huge threat to the environment and hence their emissions need to be regulated.
The petition has a three-point agenda:
* Regulate marine vessels and ask them to be more fuel-efficient, this reducing carbon dioxide levels.
* Marine vessels must use cleaner fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
* All vessels entering US waters must be regulated regardless of their origin.
Meanwhile California Attorney General Jerry Brown has also filed a similar petition. "The EPA has the authority to curb greenhouse-gas emissions and our petition asks the agency to make specific findings that ships significantly contribute to global warming," he said.
More information on both petitions can be found at www.oceana.org/climate.
