Marine
While globalization has improved many aspects of people’s lives, it is evident that the environmental toll taken by ships carrying people and goods worldwide is high. Consequently, beneficial cargo owners (importers) also play an important role in ensuring the shipping industry continues to thrive while simultaneously reducing its environmental impact (Oturakci & Dagsuyu, 2020). Emissions of greenhouse gases, air pollution, the release of ballast water, aquatic invasive species, and oil and chemical leaks are only some of the environmental problems that marine transportation continues to cause. During transshipment or shipbreaking activities, sediment contamination of ports is obvious due to the release of dry bulk consignment, rubbish, marine noise pollution, cargo vessel on marine megafauna, fear of ship grounding or collapsing, and broad deposit contamination.
Seafarers can significantly reduce their ship’s carbon footprint by contributing to more efficient ship operations. Owners of vessels should instill a culture of energy management amongst crew members and gradually introduce pollution-reducing technologies as the needs of society evolve. Turning off unused lights, switching to halogen or sodium vapor lamps, making better use of the ship’s laundry, and turning off auxiliary pumps (ballast, fire, lubricating oil, camshaft pumps) are just a few of the many ways to cut the ship’s energy use. Effective management of the ship’s engine and deck gear is crucial for avoiding wasteful use of fuel (Oturakci & Dagsuyu, 2020). To maximize productivity and minimize breakdowns, sailors must be familiar with the proper beginning and ending procedures for any machinery on board.
Rail
Air pollution, noise, global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and ecosystem loss and fragmentation are some environmental problems that the expansion of rail transportation could exacerbate. Rail travel serves a vital purpose, but at the cost of soil contamination by toxic heavy metals (Göçmen & Erol, 2018). Heavy metal contamination has devastating effects on ecosystems particularly vulnerable to its effects, such as a reduction in soil enzyme activities.
During railway expansion, there are numerous options for lowering carbon dioxide emissions. Emissions from building sites and accompanying transports can be greatly reduced by the efficient use of construction equipment and vehicles. Cutting down on construction equipment idling time, reviewing idle limitation restrictions, and implementing other operational techniques could help reduce emissions (Göçmen & Erol, 2018). Using suitable equipment for the job, avoiding inefficiently large machines, performing regular maintenance, and providing effective training for individuals who operate mobile equipment are helpful initiatives.
Road
Major contributors to transportation-related air pollution include fossil fuel-powered roads, vehicles, trains, and buses. Emissions cause air pollution at every stage of their lifecycle, which has negative consequences on both people and the environment. Pollutants can also originate from the production and disposal of vehicles, as well as the refining and distribution of fuels (Aminzadegan et al., 2022). It is important to implement measures like switching to more fuel-efficient vehicles, boosting overall fuel efficiency, and cutting down on unnecessary idling to lessen the environmental impact of road travel. Using less single-occupant automobiles and fewer miles driven vehicles, as well as increasing public transit usage, reduces traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing the adoption and implementation of transportation methods limit or eliminate human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases across all relevant industries, working together to do so. France, Japan, Norway, and Switzerland are some of the countries that have passed laws specifically to combat global warming. The Norwegian law tries to cut carbon dioxide emissions by introducing a carbon tax, while the French, Japanese, and Swiss laws build a national approach to tackling global warming.
References
Aminzadegan, S., Shahriari, M., Mehranfar, F., & Abramović, B. (2022). Factors affecting the emission of pollutants in different types of transportation: A literature review. Energy Reports, 8, 2508-2529. Web.
Göçmen, E., & Erol, R. (2018). The problem of sustainable intermodal transportation: A case study of an international logistics company, Turkey. Sustainability, 10(11), 1-16. Web.
Oturakci, M., & Dagsuyu, C. (2020). Integrated environmental risk assessment approach for transportation modes. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 26(2), 384-393. Web.