Re: “Despite all the cruise ships, Seattle residents prefer other vacations” (Aug. 31, FYI Man):
Congrats — Seattle is the No. 1 cruise-ship port on the West Coast! However whereas few locals profit, many are harmed.
Why? Ships in Puget Sound or idling at berth produce 20% of our diesel particulate matter, elevating illness danger in port communities. DPM publicity is linked to most cancers, heart problems, respiratory hospitalizations and untimely loss of life. However in 2025, an anticipated 298 cruises will carry roughly 1 million passengers, most flying right here to cruise. Half the entire emissions of a cruise trip are brought on by these flights, shifting the well being dangers to port employees and close by residents.
We should scale back cruise well being harms. The Council on Clear Transportation estimates that shore energy for ships on the Port of Seattle may scale back DPM 2.5 emissions by 29%. The Washington State Medical Affiliation Home of Delegates will contemplate resolutions urging all oceangoing vessels to make use of shore energy whereas at berth. The resolutions would additionally oppose enlargement of cruise sailings by way of the Port of Seattle and cap flights at Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport at present ranges.
Let Florida maintain the cruise ships and airplanes. We’ll maintain our clear air and good well being.
Chris Covert-Bowlds, MD, and Breck Lebegue, MD, MPH, co-chairs, Washington Physicians for Social Duty Local weather and Well being Process Drive
