• Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    Large ocean vessels like cargo and cruise ships are some of the biggest greenhouse gas producers on the planet, so I really hope this is a good way forward.

    • fluxion@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      At the very least they should have all long-since been converted to diesel instead of bunker fuel, which emits more carbon and a shit ton of sulfur, one of the worst greenhouse gasses. But these people give less than a fuck. Countries need to be willing to stop trade with vessels like this before even the simplest technical solutions will be adopted.

      • Jajcus@kbin.social
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        2 years ago

        Sulfur polution actually has cooling effect, so it is kind of opposite of greenhouse gases. It sucks in different ways, though.

        • Addv4@kbin.social
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          2 years ago

          If in the upper atmosphere yes, but I doubt any of the sulfer from these gets anywhere near that height, and actually just falls back down to pollute down here.

          • cyd@lemmy.world
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            2 years ago

            No, the link seems to be real. Very recent studies based on satellite data have detected a reduction in cloud reflectivity caused by the reduction in sulfur emissions. This will accelerate global warming; by exactly how much is currently not known.

    • Edgelord_Of_Tomorrow@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      It’s kind of funny because this is true, but if God came down and changed all logistics to trains and aircraft tomorrow our emissions would rise enormously. Shipping is extremely efficient, we just do a fuckton of it.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        As is, we do it by ship, so hopefully wind-powered shipping and electric cargo ships will be the way of the future for them.

    • saltesc@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      It seems to make economical sense to be utilising winds whenever they’re blowing. I’m no expert but reduced engine maintenance and fuel consumption at those times are the two I can think of. So long as the wind infrastructure isn’t expensive to maintain and use, this would be the preferred option sailing forward.

      • QuinceDaPence@kbin.social
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        2 years ago

        I dont think this ship could ever go sail-only. But it can use them as assistance to the engines. It’d need a lot more sails, taller sails, and probably some hull modifications to get anywhere near the same speed on sail only. But it can use the sails to go faster for a given throttle setting.