tomsaint11's flickr photostream/Creative Commons

For all the world’s fancy schmancy technological innovation and wireless whatever, it may surprise you to know that literally a full 112% of all imports to the United States come via ship (not literally). And with all that cargo, these ships bring a lot of pollution. And the United States and Canada are going to do something about it.

The two nations are planning to establish air pollution control zones around coastal ports to curb pollution from all ships entering the ports, both domestic and foreign.

The restrictions announced yesterday [March 30], which the Environmental Protection Agency outlined in a request Friday to the International Maritime Organization, would require tankers, cruise ships, cargo ships and other large vessels to use low-sulfur fuel or new technology to ensure that they emit less sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and soot while within 200 nautical miles of the lower 48 states. The rules also would apply to Anchorage as well as the seven populated Hawaiian islands and the uninhabited Kahoolawe nature preserve. [Washington Post]

The changes, of course, will cost a good deal of money, but it seems like people in the shipping industry are on board (no pun intended). Christopher L. Koch, president of the World Shipping Council, said, “It will be costly, but it’s doable. We know this issue of vessel emissions needed an effective international response.” As well, the results should be tangible, literally saving lives (this time, literally).

The EPA said the ‘emissions control area’ would save as many as 8,300 American and Canadian lives every year by 2020 and protect Americans living as far inland as Kansas.

So hooray for clean air! Hooray for school! Hooray for me! takepart with the USA and Canada to lower pollution everywhere.