NationStates Jolt Archive

The United Nations Affirmative Action Endangered Species Act
A Proposed Resolution to improve the populations of native endangered species.
Environmental – All Industries

The United Nations:
REALIZING that developing nations have significantly reduced the populations of native species.
RECOGNIZING that these developments have also altered the balance of predicators and prey putting both types of species at risk.
NOTING WITH REGRET that some species native to one region can cause significant damage in another region.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the legitimate needs of national peoples and industry.
AFFIRMING the strong environmental record of this body.

The members of the United Nations:
AUTHORIZES the creation of an international native endangered species list.
CONDEMS the sale or export of native endangered species from native habitats.
ENDORSES the repatriation of native species from areas where they are non native and harmful to the native population.
CALLS UPON member nations to create sanctuaries where native endangered species can be allowed to grow to sustainable populations.
RECOMMENDS that such sanctuaries not only protect native endangered species from man made causes, but also from natural causes as well – natural disasters and natural predators – until sustainable population sizes are reached.
FURTHER RECOMMENDS that anyone or any corporation found harming native endangered species or harming sanctuaries for endangered species should be fined the cost of restoring the population or sanctuaries in addition to any punitive penalties deemed proper by the affected nation of the native endangered species.

I want this proposal to be generic yet at the same time I don't want a toothless resolution. Comments appreciated.

*condemns

It appears suitably proactive to me! I assume the main aims of the resolution are to establish an international database of endangered species and encourage the creation of national parks?

Perhaps a minimal percentage of land given over to parkland could be incorporated?

I want this proposal to be generic yet at the same time I don't want a toothless resolution. Comments appreciated.It currently has no teeth--no requirements. Note that I'd object to it if it did, I'm just pointing that out.

Just curious as to the title of your resolution. The term "Affirmative Action" has quite a different connotation than perhaps what you intend. Even as a right-wing conservative, I could support this resolution, but based upon the title, I though you were proposing hiring quotas for animals.

Personally, I like the resolution's flexibility, allowing the member nations to enforce their own penalties, without some arbitrary number which would undoubtedly become outdated before being amended. Should a penalty become affordable, one would simply pay the "fee" for hunting Siberian Tigers, Spotted Owls et al.

That's my opinion, and I've already revealed my bias.

I quite like this, but Hersfold is already doing an endangered species proposal which I prefer.

The use of "Affirmative Action" (I also am considering "Pro Active") is supposed to indicate an active stance to assist in the rebuilding of native endangered species. It implies more than just a temporary protection for the species and the habitat but a commitment to action. Just like "Affirmative Action" was used in the United States to actively promote minorties in the workforce, I was considering this as a way to actively promote the native endangered species with all nationstates.

In writing this resolution I am trying to find the happy medium where recent UN resolution debate seems to be taking us. I want something that is not too specific so as to be an offense to roleplaying, but at the same time, I do want something with teeth, at least from a NS perspective.

Key to this resolution is the word "native." Every nation has their own native species. But species in one environment can be devistating in another environment. Likewise there will always be a black market to steal native species (as others do native historical treasures) to other nations.

The creation of a native endangered species list I think has to be vague. Any use of physical numbers can cause significant roleplaying conflicts. This is why I tend to use the word "sustainable." What is the sustainable population size to support the Xlands Y? (Where Y can be anything from the dragon to the fly.)

I would like to give the action clauses some teeth, and would be open to suggestion.

"CONDEMS the sale or export" seems a pretty strong action clause.

"ENDORSES the repatriation of native species" is milder but it's harder to enforce. This is actually more role playing than NS code since as far as I know and so this should be milder.

"CALLS UPON member nations to create sanctuaries" is somewhat mild and vague. But this resolution is less about the establishment of wildlife preserves as it is to promote the growth of the population, and thus "sanctuaries" is deliberately vague in order to provide interesting alternatives in role play.

"RECOMMENDS that such sanctuaries ... but also from natural causes as well" Part of my reason for writing this resolution was a telegram from a nation within my continent. His message used a different slant than the typical endangered species approach.

As Niftyonia's Delegate, I would request that you suggest a "Betterment of Nature" bill for the UN. Basically, it would form a committee to look into aspects of nature, and come up with ways to improve it.

Every year, hundreds of poor creatures die needlessly because Evolution isn't as fast as Human Intelligence, and we should apply our natural gifts to helping Nature prosper.

No longer should herds of Wilderbeast have to blunder across the dangerous Niftyzon River, filled with deadly Crocodiles, surrounded by deadly predators, when we could take some time out to build them a bridge...

"FURTHER RECOMMENDS that anyone or any corporation ... should be fined" might need to be given a stronger action clause. This should result in restricting industry somewhat since in NS we can assume that most corporations don't think about what their actions might affect native endangered species. Now they will have to pay experts and lawyers to make sure they don't get fined. :p

Minor Edit: I noticed that one of the sentences was deleted half way.