October 14th 2024
On Monday morning, a gigantic banner saying “Cruise = ☹️Climate“ was unfurled on the hillside in Diamond Harbour as the ship made its way to dock in Lyttleton, Ōtautahi. This was the third time in 5 days that the climate action group, Climate Liberation Aotearoa has confronted the passengers from the Princess Cruise Lines ship.
Supporters of Climate Liberation Aotearoa embarked on a slow cycle through the city slowing down buses carrying cruise ship passengers from Lyttleton. A welcoming party with banners, leaflets, and public service announcements from the climate action group greeted them.
“Four days travelling on a cruise ship is three to four times more emissions than travelling the same distance by plane. We believe that the passengers on the Diamond Princess care about the future of their children and grandchildren. Now is the time for them to let their cruise ship company know that they want them to care about that future too,” said Michael Apathy, Climate Liberation Aotearoa spokesperson.
On Friday 11 October, over 70 people met at the Lyttelton Coffee Company to discuss the impact of the cruise industry on their community. A hand poll indicated nearly all in attendance would like an end to the cruise ships in Ōtautahi. There was a strong sentiment shared by many of the speakers that Environment Canterbury (ECan) and the Lyttleton community were being pitted against each other rather than joining forces and confronting the cruise ship industry together. “These actions are a sign that the community is willing to step in and save themselves from more disruption to their everyday life and their public transport access into the city” said Michael. “The cruise ship industry should not rely on the council to provide extra buses that cost the tax-payer. They can and should pay their way.”
“If we expect ordinary New Zealanders to make better decisions for the climate and environment it needs to be accessible and easy enough for them to form new habits. A regular and reliable bus service is essential to this. We’ve heard stories of high-school students freaking out on cruise ship days that they won’t be able to get to their exams because all the buses will be full of cruise ship passengers” said Michael. “The council’s advice to keep an eye on the cruise ship schedule and make other arrangements on cruise ship days is unacceptable”.
Princess Cruise Lines has not responded to Climate Liberation Aotearoa’s request to sign an open letter to the New Zealand government asking them to include the emissions from the cruise ship industry in our national emissions reduction targets and plans. Princess Cruise Lines was fined US$40 million in 2017 for deliberate dumping of oil-contaminated waste from one of its cruise ships, and attempting to cover up its actions so perhaps their silence is not surprising.