Request to Conduct Research
MEMO
TO: Jimmety Cricket, Chief, HLM Cruise Lines,
FROM: Edmund Greene HLM Cruise Line, Environmental Research
DATE: June 20, 2013
SUBJECT: Request to Conduct Research
Introduction
HLM Cruise Lines has been under intense media scrutiny as of late due to our unethical practice of releasing untreated wastewater into the oceans. As the world's second largest cruise company, it should be our duty to protect the waters upon which we sail. Therefore, I would like to be released from my current duties in order to research alternative methods of managing the waste produced on our ships. At the conclusion of my research, a formal report will be provided to you.
Significance of this research
As the World becomes more environmentally conscious, there is a demand that the Cruise line industry be held responsible for the environmental damage that our vessels produce. This has caused the federal government to heighten its watch for violators. Gone are the days of lax federal and state laws; heavy fines and suspensions are now the norm. The cruise industry has paid more than $55 million in fines since 1998 (Friends of the Earth, 2009), which makes this research so important to our company.
Problem
Our Cruise ships generate hundreds of thousands of gallons of human sewage and offer a host of amenities that create pollutants, including dry-cleaning, pools, hair salons, restaurants, photo processing, and spas. In one week alone, our largest cruise ship, “The Mickey”, can generate approximately 1 million gallons of gray water; 210,000 gallons of sewage; 25,000 gallons of oily bilge water; 100 gallons of hazardous or toxic waste; and 50 tons of garbage and solid waste. This sewage contains pollutants including fecal matter, bacteria, viruses, pathogens, hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals, all of which can be harmful to human health and aquatic life. (Kline, 2009). (Placeholder1)Our current practice of dumping this untreated waste directly into the ocean is
TO: Jimmety Cricket, Chief, HLM Cruise Lines,
FROM: Edmund Greene HLM Cruise Line, Environmental Research
DATE: June 20, 2013
SUBJECT: Request to Conduct Research
Introduction
HLM Cruise Lines has been under intense media scrutiny as of late due to our unethical practice of releasing untreated wastewater into the oceans. As the world's second largest cruise company, it should be our duty to protect the waters upon which we sail. Therefore, I would like to be released from my current duties in order to research alternative methods of managing the waste produced on our ships. At the conclusion of my research, a formal report will be provided to you.
Significance of this research
As the World becomes more environmentally conscious, there is a demand that the Cruise line industry be held responsible for the environmental damage that our vessels produce. This has caused the federal government to heighten its watch for violators. Gone are the days of lax federal and state laws; heavy fines and suspensions are now the norm. The cruise industry has paid more than $55 million in fines since 1998 (Friends of the Earth, 2009), which makes this research so important to our company.
Problem
Our Cruise ships generate hundreds of thousands of gallons of human sewage and offer a host of amenities that create pollutants, including dry-cleaning, pools, hair salons, restaurants, photo processing, and spas. In one week alone, our largest cruise ship, “The Mickey”, can generate approximately 1 million gallons of gray water; 210,000 gallons of sewage; 25,000 gallons of oily bilge water; 100 gallons of hazardous or toxic waste; and 50 tons of garbage and solid waste. This sewage contains pollutants including fecal matter, bacteria, viruses, pathogens, hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals, all of which can be harmful to human health and aquatic life. (Kline, 2009). (Placeholder1)Our current practice of dumping this untreated waste directly into the ocean is
References: Kline, R. (2009). Getting a grip on the cruise ship pollution. Atlanta: Friends of the Earth. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2008, Dec 29). Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report. Retrieved June 19, 2013, from Environmental Protection Agency: epa.gov/owow/oceans/cruise_ships/0812cruiseship dischargesases.pdf Underwood, K. (2010, June 3). 7 Ocean-Friendly Eco Cruises Hitting the High Seas. Retrieved from Treehugger: http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/7-ocean-friendly-eco-cruises-hitting-the-high-seas.html