Main human uses of ocean areas and resources, impacts, and multiple scales of governance - Ocean Sustainability in the 21st Century - page 40

Growing Arctic ship traffic will also bring with it air pollution that has the potential
to accelerate climate change in the world's northern reaches. Researchers estimate that en-
gine exhaust particles could increase warming by between 17 and 78%. Most of this warm-
ing is likely to originate from the release of black carbon, or soot, from ships' diesel en-
gines (Corbett et al ., 2010 ). Black carbon is a short-lived climate forcing pollutant, which
is especially effective in accelerating the melting of ice and snow. Other ship emissions
may also have unintended consequences for the Arctic environment and the cultures and
well-being of Arctic populations, in particular indigenous residents (Arctic Council, 2009 ) .
Worldwide, ships release an estimated 1.2 million to 1.6 million tonnes of tiny airborne
particles each year, which are high in carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides. These particles
have been linked to premature deaths worldwide, and are believed to cause heart and lung
failure. Recent research indicates that shipping-related particulate matter emissions are re-
sponsibleforapproximately 60,000cardiopulmonaryandlungcancerdeathsannually,with
most deaths occurring near coastlines in Europe, East Asia, and South Asia (Corbett et al .,
2007 ) .