Are Cruises out in 2026?

Cruise ships: more harmful than you may expect

The global cruise industry is a booming business, with roughly 1.2 million Canadians booking a cruise in 2024. For many Canadians, taking a cruise has allowed them to explore the world without risking the comforts they are used to enjoying at home. For a long time a cruise sounded like a win-win. Canadians could travel comfortably, a new line of jobs opened up, and economies around the world benefited from the influx of travelers. However, as the industry grew, environmentalists began to notice that this has come with extreme environmental costs. Whether it is the ocean’s ecosystems, port towns, or UNESCO heritage sites it has become abundantly clear that cruises were introducing negative effects, and changes needed to be made. Will Canadians have to give up on cruises, or can something be done to save the industry as well as the environment?

How is the cruise industry affecting the environment?

There are three major components to the environmental impact that cruise ships can potentially have; water pollution, noise pollution, and air pollution. In addition, there is improper disposal of solid waste generated on board, and infrastructure and material consumption during the process of constructing new cruise ships. The cruise industry has shown no signs of slowing down, and in fact its popularity has soared since Covid. Accommodating such large ships in ports also requires additional infrastructure to do so, which destroys both land and sea ecosystems.

Water pollution

Estimates from the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency found that “a 3,000-person cruise ship generates 176,400 gallons of sewage per week. This adds up to over one billion gallons of sewage a year for the industry – the equivalent of 1,515 Olympic-sized swimming pools.” (Chen, 2025). Many ships are equipped with treatment plants on board that remove pollutants from the sewage, however some pollutants like heavy metals, nutrients, and non-biodegradable organic chemicals may remain in the sewage. Marine environments are particularly vulnerable to sewage pollution, and face harmful algal blooms and surfactants that reduce oxygen levels, inhibiting organism growth and disrupting ecosystems.

Noise pollution

An unseen aspect of cruise ship pollution is the noise pollution they generate underwater. This underestimated aspect is a threat to ocean life, with some sounds so strong they can stun or kill wildlife. Reports have found that many predators and fish have their habitats disrupted by so much ambient noise that disrupts their communication and behaviour that they are permanently displaced from ecosystems.

Air pollution

Cruise ships emit large amounts of sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide – chemicals found to cause acid rain and water acidification. In 2022, a report found that Europe’s 214 cruise ships emitted four times more sulfur than all cars in Europe combined (about 250 million). 

Some cruise ships have taken action to tackle the problem of air pollution by using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative to traditional options like diesel. However, although it generates less carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, it is still a highly polluting source of methane. Many cruise lines will claim that switching to LNG helps “green” their company, partaking in the commonly seen greenwashing that environmentalists rebuke.

Economic benefits of cruise tourism?

The cruise industry is extremely beneficial for the global economy. The industry has generated billions of dollars in revenue through customer spending, and made way for thousands of job opportunities. In 2023 the industry generated 168.6 billion dollars in total economic output, 1.6 million jobs globally, and paid 56.9 billion in wages, as detailed in reports by Cruise Lines International Association. Cruises also contribute 85.6 billion to global GDP, with its growth outpacing that of the global economy. Since 2019, there has been a 7 percent increase in the amount of people taking cruises each year. The economic impact for countries extends past cruises, as 60% of cruise passengers return to a destination they visited while on a cruise for a longer stay. Countries with economies that are reliant on tourism have benefited heavily from this. Is the economic benefit worth the environmental stress?

Who has already taken action?

For some countries, the environmental costs of large cruise ships outweighs the benefits. Venice, Italy was the first to ban large cruise ships in 2021. Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini banned massive cruise ships from sailing into the lagoon city. After years of heavy cruise tourism, it had become clear the excessive foot traffic along with the sheer size of cruise ships had put this UNESCO site at risk of becoming on the list of endangered world heritage sites. Italy's fragile and delicate channels could not handle massive cruise ships and constant foot traffic. They are still welcoming smaller and more sustainable cruise ships, but ultimately, Italy is more focused on conserving their beautiful city than profiting off it. Nice, France banned cruise ships containing over 900 passengers in 2025 due to the increase in pollution. French Polynesia and Barcelona, Spain have a limit on daily arrivals as well as a restriction on mega cruise ships in hopes of saving their oceans. Norway has implemented strict emission requirements on cruise ships and has pushed for a full ban on non-compliant ships. The next time you are considering booking a cruise it would be to your benefit to not only research your cruise line, but stick to smaller and more sustainable ships. 

Cleaner alternatives?

There are many alternatives for how you vacation instead of taking a cruise ship. For example, you could consider staying at an all-inclusive resort that boasts many of the same amenities and choosing to spend more time in the local area exploring what they have to offer. Visiting national parks for enthusiasts in nature for hiking and camping can still provide enjoyment for the outdoors. Bus tours and train cruises are unique tours that mimic the constant travel with stops at rest points that cruise ships offer, yet are far more environmentally friendly than their counterpart. They are taking off globally, and even Canada has luxury options that you may not have considered, providing you the opportunity to relax as you explore inland.

If you are still planning to take a cruise, consider looking at Friends of the Earth’s Cruise Ship Report Card (linked below), which grades the environmental impacts of the most popular cruise lines on measures like “sewage treatment”, “air pollution reduction”, “water quality/scrubber use”, and “transparency. Through this research they found that no cruise ships received an A- or above, and their best scorers included Hurtigruten, Disney Cruise Line, and Regent Seven Seas. Their worst performers were the Carnival Cruise Line (which has in the past received many fines for noncompliance with regulations), Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises.

Association, C. L. I. (2024, November 12). New 2023 Global Cruise Industry Economic Impact Study shows the highest-ever Global Economic Impact from Cruise Tourism. PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-2023-global-cruise-industry-economic-impact-study-shows-the-highest-ever-global-economic-impact-from-cruise-tourism-302303389.html 

CBC/Radio Canada. (2021, July 14). Italy to ban large cruise ships from Venice’s Waterways |    CBC News. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cruise-liner-ban-venice-1.6101675#:~:text=Declaring%20Venice’s%20waterways%20a%20%22national,of%20revenue%20for%20the%20city. 

Chen, N. (2025, August 15). The environmental impact of Cruise Ships. Earth.Org. https://earth.org/the-environmental-impact-of-cruise-ships/ 

Delpozo, B. (2025, February 15). 5 popular travel destinations banned cruise ships. AllEars.Net. https://allears.net/2025/02/15/5-popular-travel-destinations-banned-cruise-ships/ 

Gerretsen, I. (2024, July 19). Are “green” cruise ships good for the climate? BBC News.https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240627-are-green-cruise-ships-good-for-the-climate 

Ukpanah, I. (2024, October 17). Are cruise ships bad for the environment? stats, trends, and facts. GreenMatch.co.uk. https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/maritime-sustainability 

Vininsky-Oakes, E. (2025, May 23). The environmental impacts of cruise ships. The Starfish Canada.https://thestarfish.ca/journal/2025/05/the-environmental-impacts-of-cruise-ships 

What's Next for Marineland's Belugas?

Marineland of Canada has been, for 60 years, a famous attraction in local Niagara Falls. It was famous for its captive whale and dolphin shows, however when Canada banned the live performances of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) in 2019, hundreds of animal’s welfare hung in the balance. Cetacean captivity has always been a hot-topic for discussion, as tank size, boredom, insufficient nutrients, chronic stress, and frustration, have led to profound physical and mental issues. Their captivity has been associated with shorter lifespans, brutal separations of these animals from their wild family, and high infant mortality rates in captively bred animals, especially orcas, who rely on their pods to provide support in the raising of their young. Canada was among one of the first countries to ban captivity, seeing other countries follow in their footsteps, more recently Mexico. However, Marineland was permitted to retain its current animals, including dolphins, seals, sea lions, belugas, and the orca Kiska, who passed away in March 2023. Kiska spent the last 12 years of her life in complete isolation, and was known as “the world’s loneliest orca”. 

Marineland shut down in September 2024 after facing financial difficulties from declining revenue and infrastructure deterioration. Due to the government of Canada’s lack of a mandate on release or rehabilitation of cetaceans, 4 dolphins, some seals and sea lions, and 30 belugas, now remain at the park with an uncertain future. 

Can the Beluga whales just be released back into the wild? 

The short answer is that it is not safe for the oceans or the animals. Marineland Canada has exploited 88 beluga whales in the time that it was open. 36 of those whales were captured from the ocean, and the other 52 were bred in captivity. There are 30 beluga whales that remain at Marineland Canada. Half of the beluga whales that remain alive were born into captivity and have not known a life outside of a tank. The other half are the remaining belugas that were captured and forced into captivity. So why can’t they be released back into the oceans they came from? The belugas at Marineland Canada have either never learned the necessary survival skills, or they have lost all of their natural instincts, such as hunting and avoiding predators, as a result of forced captivity. Additionally, captive animals that are released can introduce pathogens and diseases into the oceans that will infect wild populations. According to the federal department of fisheries and oceans, who is responsible for authorizing the live capture and release or rehabilitating marine mammals into the wild, it is out of the question to release these beluga whales into the oceans. According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, marine mammals held in captivity for more than 2 years or born into captivity for public display should not be released back into the wild. Since releasing them is out of the question, how will Marineland Canada secure a safe home for the Belugas and ensure everyone involved is satisfied?

Whose opinions are involved?

World Animal Protection Canada: They have called on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to intervene. Since Canada banned exporting whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes, the belugas at marine land canada are at risk for euthanisation. World Animal Protection urges Ford to step up with a better solution. Without Federal export permits or financial assistance, Marineland Canada will be left with only euthanization as an option. 

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association: They are working closely with like-minded organizations and the government to provide any necessary care and come up with rehousing options.

Animals rights activists and lawyers: They are fighting hard to have these belugas transferred to a Nova Scotian Sanctuary.

Indigenous leaders: According to Jason Etok, who has spoken with Inuit leaders, indigenous communities support the beluga’s release into the wild. There was talk of releasing the Marineland Belugas into the Hudson Bay, Ungava Bay, or St. Lawrence River. Unfortunately, due to guidelines announced by The Federal Department of Ocean and Fisheries, this goal is not possible. As a result, The National Inuit Organization of Canada has stepped out of the decision making process and has refused to further speak on the matter. 

The Canadian Government: The federal government  has denied Marineland’s request to export the whales to China for profit and is currently feeling the pressure to select an option right for everyone as soon as possible.

What will the fate of these belugas look like?

A Nova Scotian sanctuary

The most promising option is a Nova Scotia sanctuary, leased by The Whale Sanctuary Project, the first North American coastal sanctuary to host retired whales, including the ones at Marineland and also Miami Seaquarium which has also recently closed. This open-ocean sanctuary is fenced in, so the cetaceans would have a degree of protection from the ocean and not be able to interact with other belugas. However, they would have an improved 83 hectares of open water to swim in, a huge improvement from their current tank. Campaigners and scientists are putting pressure on the provincial and federal governments to approve this plan and the funding. Nothing has been confirmed yet.

Exporting them to China

The belugas have also been proposed to be relocated to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in the Chinese city of Zhuhai, a preferred plan by Marineland itself, who would be able to make money off the sale. This plan is complicated by the aforementioned Bill S-203, which prohibits not only the capture and breeding of cetaceans, but also the import and export of them, to help prevent them being transferred to another country with an active breeding and performance program. There are exceptions in the bill that allow for transfer for scientific research or if it is in the best interests of the animal. These exceptions would definitely apply for a transfer to the sanctuary, however whether their fates would improve at a theme park in China is up for debate.

Euthanisation

Marineland is highly in debt, and has unsuccessfully requested funding from the government numerous times to relocate these animals to China or continue to care for them at Marineland. After Canada blocked their transfer to China, “to approve the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to public entertainment.” (Thompson, 2025), Marineland reportedly threatened to euthanize all 30 belugas. In a letter from the 3rd of October, Marineland claimed that if the federal government refuses to provide funding for their transfer by October 7th, they will be forced to face the decision of euthanising their animals.

Nothing.

Over the past six years, 20 whales (19 belugas and one orca) have died at Marineland. If nothing happens to the remaining animals at the park, they will be slated to continue out the rest of their shortened lives in captivity.

The story of a beluga’s life in captivity, from beginning to end, is a tragic and devastating one. With shortened lifespans in tiny tanks, whiling away their days and forced to perform in front of crowds for food, there should be no question that they deserve better. And while cetacean captivity is being called into question across the globe, it is time for governments to invest the money into their continued safety and finding an ethical solution for each whale to have a happier end to its life than how it started.

References: 

CBC/Radio Canada. (2025, October 10). Why finding a new home for Marineland’s 30 belugas is proving difficult and complicated | CBC news. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/marineland-beluga-new-home-solutions-9.6933460

D’Mello, C. (2025, October 23). Ontario tells Federal Government to approve Marineland Whale transfer to China, Nova Scotia. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/11490635/ontario-tells-federal-government-to-approve-marineland-whale-transfer-to-china-nova-scotia/ 

Guardian News and Media. (2025b, October 6). Marine Park threatens to euthanize 30 whales if Canada does not provide funding. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/06/canada-marineland-beluga-whales 

Marineland Beluga Situation. CVMA. (n.d.). https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/about-cvma/latest-news/marineland-beluga-situation/ 

Nunatsiaq News. (2025, October 17). Marineland’s 30 belugas won’t survive outside captivity, experts say. https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/marinelands-30-belugas-wont-survive-outside-captivity-experts-say/ 

The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature, & Project, W. S. (2025, October 25). Updates on the beluga whales at Marineland Canada - the whale sanctuary project: Back to nature. The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature. https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/updates-on-the-beluga-whales-at-marineland-canada/ 

World Animal Protection. (2025, October 13). Ontario urged to act as marineland beluga crisis deepens. https://www.worldanimalprotection.org/latest/news/ontario-urged-to-intervene-marineland-beluga-crisis/ 

Is There A Greener Way To Fight Ice?

Should we rethink salting our roads in the winter?

The amount of salt applied to our roads after big snow storms to combat ice increases dramatically year by year. Road salt application and plowing systems are the traditional primary snow removal methods, necessary for the safety of pedestrians and minimization of car accidents. The rise in salt application is due mostly to its low cost, ease of application, and high effectiveness. Yet recently discussions have arisen about the harms of it on our ecosystem, as runoff from roads and sidewalks has been found to unnaturally increase lake and river salinity, harming local wildlife populations. You will come to learn, however, that there is not one perfect solution, and all alternatives have challenging pros and cons.

The harmful effects of road salt: 

Although road salt is a useful tool for winter safety, it is not without its flaws. Studies show that the road salt that is dumped casually on the roads by your house can travel up to 50 meters through soil. It has also been shown to wash into waterways after a heavy rainfall. This heavily contaminates our drinking water as well as water ecosystems. High concentrations of the sodium chloride in road salt can be fatal to many species of invertebrates. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of chloride has been known to cause infertility in fish. In humans, sodium chloride can cause stomach problems, skin irritation, and elevated blood pressure. Road salt has also been known to cause soil degradation by disrupting its structure and chemical composition. The sodium and chloride ions that are released when road salt enters the soil leads to the displacement of key nutrients. This directly affects plant life by either stunting their growth or killing them. Road salt also leads to a negative effect on infrastructure. Salt can travel through the air via salt sprays. This causes the accelerated corrosion of concrete and steel in buildings. Eventually, this leads to premature structural damages in buildings and bridges

Is salting our roads a necessity?:

Road salt is known for its detrimental environmental effects, so why do we keep using it? Public safety is the first issue that comes to mind. Icy roads and walkways are extremely dangerous. Studies show that approximately 30% of car accidents in Canada are the result of icy roads. Canada’s winter months are long, and people need to be able to get to school and work. Road salt is a cost effective and efficient way to reduce ice on the roads and ensure safety. The chemicals in road salt are what breaks down ice, and that allows for safe transportation for Canadians. With that being said, are there equally effective alternatives? 

Alternative methods to rock salt:

There are many alternatives to rock salt which are being studied at the moment due to the pressing nature of concerns about rock salt (not just its effect on water salinity) having widescale effects from; corrosion of infrastructure, damage to vehicles, impact to vegetation, and increased waste products. Alternatives are typically broken down into three categories, all with unique pros and cons. This piece is not trying to make an argument as to which is the best, merely start discussion about the complexity of this topic.

Chloride deicers: 

These are most commonly used, and include calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and pre-treated sodium chloride (“treated salt”). They are all highly effective with lower effective temperatures than traditional rock salt, and require lower application rates, contributing less chloride to the environment. It is also less corrosive to metals and can be coloured to ensure mental comfort in knowing a surface has been treated. However, they still contribute a good deal of chloride to the environment, and are all more expensive than rock salt.

Acetate deicers:

There are a great number of these deicers, with the most common being calcium magnesium acetate. These require fewer applications because they have a residual effect, and limit corrosion of metal. They also completely eliminate chloride, and have an added bonus of keeping the snow lighter, which aids in mechanical snow removal processes. However, these deicers have a great number of drawbacks. They are expensive, have a limited range of temperature when they are effective, and perform best when applied before it snows. They also still affect groundwater, as they release acetate ions which increase biological oxygen demand, and its mining has huge environmental impacts.

Agricultural byproducts (Organic deicers):

These products may seem the most appealing alternative to road salting, and include beet juice, whey, and wheat-based starches; they are products of already occurring processes. They are typically added to chemical deicers, and are part of anti-icing, meaning they are applied before a storm to prevent the formation of ice. However, just because an alternative is part of a natural process and appears more eco-friendly and environmentally-conscious, this is unfortunately not the case. Although agricultural by-products do have pros, like being non-corrosive, increasing the efficiency of salt when used in conjunction, contributing less chloride to the environment, and being a by-product of existing processes, there are still harmful downsides. These organic deicers can contribute to oxygen depletion and eutrophication (excess of nutrients in water due to land runoff, creating suffocating plant life and killing animal life due to lack of oxygen). The degradation on land can lead to anaerobic soil conditions. Additionally, there are definitely some concerns about the smell that could arise.

Local attempts to use alternatives:

Numerous local municipalities have tried out alternatives to traditional rock salt. Seven out of thirteen municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed (north of Toronto, near the town of Barrie) have incorporated treated salt into their practices. Aurora has completely switched to using Thawrox (a type of treated salt), reducing their application rates significantly. Several municipalities have also tried incorporating agricultural by-products into their mixes, but found the drawbacks made it too unsuitable.

Road salt is just one of the many things humans use to make our lives easier, and it is hurting us in the long run. Although road salt feels like a winter safety necessity, is it becoming more trouble than it’s worth? As road salt continues to cause harm to our ecosystems and our infrastructure, should Canadians be turning towards alternative methods?

Resources:

Alternatives to salt: What else melts snow and ice?. Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP). (2020, April 16). https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/home/urban-runoff-green-infrastructure/pollution-prevention/road-salt-management/alternatives-to-salt-what-else-melts-snow-and-ice/ 

Environmental Protection Agency. (2020b, November). Winter is Coming! And with it, tons of salt on our roads. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/snep/winter-coming-and-it-tons-salt-our-roads 

Tenneti, A. (2022, December 17). Looking into road salt use, harms, and alternatives. NiCHE. https://niche-canada.org/2022/12/19/looking-into-road-salt-use-harms-and-alternatives/#:~:text=Environmental%2C%20Health%2C%20and%20Economic%20Impacts,leading%20to%20high%20economic%20costs. 

Valleau, J. S. and R. (2018, February 2). Road salt is bad for the environment, so why do we keep using it?. Queen’s Alumni Review. https://www.queensu.ca/alumnireview/articles/2018-02-28/road-salt-is-bad-for-the-environment-so-why-do-we-keep-using-it 

Winter Salt Management. Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP). (2022, April 12). https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/home/urban-runoff-green-infrastructure/pollution-prevention/road-salt-management/#:~:text=The%20economic%20impacts%20of%20winter,linings%2C%20frames%2C%20and%20bumpers.