Title: Pollution-Free Boating
Author: Andy Wallace
Date: December 3rd 2013
Publication: Environmental News Network
Electric cars often come up in conversations about saving the environment as the more eco friendly future of our transportation. Several car brands, such as Chevrolet (Volt), Nissan (Leaf), and Ford (C-Max Energi) have already produced their own models. However, by concentrating on the roadways, people often neglect discussion of waterways.
Electronic boats are also a way of sustainable and economical transportation. In fact, they might be the only watercrafts allowed on municipal water by 2020. New Electric, an electric-conversion company, is already influencing the industry of electric vehicles through their contributions to battery-powered boats.
Ecologically acceptable ways of water transport are important as water pollution keeps getting worse. According to Clean Technica, 700 000 000 gallons of oil are poured into the oceans every yea, and that is oil alone. This is only worsened by engine-exhaust and waste from conventional ships. Aside from ocean and air pollution, the oceanic fauna is harmed by noise pollution as well. Certain species, such as orcas and dolphins, are especially affected due to their sensitivity to loud sounds. This could be fixed if electric-converted watercraft were used as they are much more quiet and they do not pollute air at all.
As Anne Kloppenborg, CEO of New Electric, said - "Making electric boats isn't just making boats cleaner; it's making boats better." So not only that the usage of those boats reduces air, water, and noise pollution, but it can also be seen as more enjoyable. For once, the motor is free of vibration and sound. Consequently, the passengers can have a better experience of the natural sounds of water, waves, and wind, which are normally drowned out by engine sounds.
I thought this would be a good current event to write about as we were just going over water pollution in class. We talked about the many ways water is being polluted, and I thought it would be interesting to mention electric boats as a step towards improving the situation. I think this is a great idea, though I am a bit worried about whether it will become popular soon enough. Many regular boat producing companies will fight against it pretty strongly as it will impact their income, and there does not seem to be enough advertising to let people know that it is even an option. I hope the predictions about 2020 are correct and that this type of transportation will become dominant soon.
Author: Andy Wallace
Date: December 3rd 2013
Publication: Environmental News Network
Electric cars often come up in conversations about saving the environment as the more eco friendly future of our transportation. Several car brands, such as Chevrolet (Volt), Nissan (Leaf), and Ford (C-Max Energi) have already produced their own models. However, by concentrating on the roadways, people often neglect discussion of waterways.
Electronic boats are also a way of sustainable and economical transportation. In fact, they might be the only watercrafts allowed on municipal water by 2020. New Electric, an electric-conversion company, is already influencing the industry of electric vehicles through their contributions to battery-powered boats.
Ecologically acceptable ways of water transport are important as water pollution keeps getting worse. According to Clean Technica, 700 000 000 gallons of oil are poured into the oceans every yea, and that is oil alone. This is only worsened by engine-exhaust and waste from conventional ships. Aside from ocean and air pollution, the oceanic fauna is harmed by noise pollution as well. Certain species, such as orcas and dolphins, are especially affected due to their sensitivity to loud sounds. This could be fixed if electric-converted watercraft were used as they are much more quiet and they do not pollute air at all.
As Anne Kloppenborg, CEO of New Electric, said - "Making electric boats isn't just making boats cleaner; it's making boats better." So not only that the usage of those boats reduces air, water, and noise pollution, but it can also be seen as more enjoyable. For once, the motor is free of vibration and sound. Consequently, the passengers can have a better experience of the natural sounds of water, waves, and wind, which are normally drowned out by engine sounds.
I thought this would be a good current event to write about as we were just going over water pollution in class. We talked about the many ways water is being polluted, and I thought it would be interesting to mention electric boats as a step towards improving the situation. I think this is a great idea, though I am a bit worried about whether it will become popular soon enough. Many regular boat producing companies will fight against it pretty strongly as it will impact their income, and there does not seem to be enough advertising to let people know that it is even an option. I hope the predictions about 2020 are correct and that this type of transportation will become dominant soon.
An interesting idea, but I wonder if it will be possible for larger boats to be electric in the future. Cruise ships and Air-craft Carriers would prove troublesome....
ReplyDeleteInteresting concept, for now it is just like with electric car industry 10 years ago, they were small and slow, now with Tesla and other brands electric cars became faster and also bigger, i think that one day it will also happen to electric boat industry, but it needs time, it is not easy to replace a good old petrol/ diesel engine
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