Shady Ships: Retail Giants Pollute Communities and Climate with Fossil-Fueled Ocean Shipping

Just fifteen companies are responsible for emitting millions of tons of pollution from importing their goods into the United States on fossil-fueled ships, according to a study released today from Pacific Environment and Stand.earth. Shady Ships: Retail Giants Pollute Communities and Climate with Fossil-Fueled Ocean Shipping is the first study to quantify the environmental and public health impacts from some of the biggest American retailers’ reliance on overseas manufacturing and fossil-fueled, transoceanic shipping.
Collectively, the top importers of U.S. goods are responsible for emitting as much sulfur oxide, nitrous oxide, and particulate matter as tens of millions of U.S. vehicles every year. These emissions are some of the most dangerous and deadly types of air pollutants, contributing to asthma, cancer, and premature death, and increasing the mortality risk from respiratory-based illnesses like COVID-19.
Urge Retailers to Abandon Dirty Ships
This is a critical time to push Amazon, IKEA, Target, and Walmart to achieve zero-emissions maritime shipping by 2030.
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