The Budget Ecoist- Eco Living on a Budget

 

Yay! This news makes us happy. According to Newsweek, America's two biggest ports, Los Angeles and Long Beach, are going green. These ports are not only the biggest though -- they're also the dirtiest and most difficult to control. With so much transportation of goods, ports haven't exactly been shining examples of eco-friendly practices. But now, officials at the two ports have offered ship captains a very appealing incentive: if the captains switch over to marine diesel oil, the officials will pay the difference. Marine diesel oil costs much more than the regular fuel and has one-tenth less sulfur. Diesel ships emit sulfur and nitrogen oxide smells, which haven't made the surrounding areas very healthy or happy. In fact, according to the article, the chance of contracting cancer grew in port areas while dropping through the rest of L.A. between 1998 and 2005. These alarming statistics make us all the more relieved that something is being done about the problem. Environmentalists say that this is one of the most ambitious plans to clean up pollution in the nation. Other goals include more eco-friendly ships and lowering emissions.


Image: Newsweek