NationStates Jolt Archive

A simple but effective proposal to raise awareness for the problems facing our Environment has been proposed by the Feifdom of Misrantis.

This proposal is now available for your approval as "Temporary Relief of Energy :: A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry." currently on page 6. http://www.nationstates.net/29366/page=display_nation/page=UN_proposal1

Thank You

This is a good idea, but it offers no real long-term solution or anything effective. If anything, it seems more of a publicity stunt. While its all well and good increasing awareness and releiving power demand for a short period, it again does nothing to solve the overall problem.

Perhaps a resolution to lower greenhouse emmisions by a certain percentage or something along those lines would be more effective?

It's considered good form to post a copy of the proposal in your post.

Temporary Relief of Energy
Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All Businesses
Proposed by: Misrantis

Description: ALARMED by the increasing state of global warming;

CONCERNED that continuing on the same path will lead only to global catastrophe;

DETERMINED to ensure that the United Nations recognizes this problem;

HEREBY enacts the following:

1. All member nations will take part in a brief, but noticeable absence of all non-essential power for a period of 15 minutes on a date to be agreed upon following the passing of this bill. Such a 15 minute absence of non-essential power will have a minimal effect on the individual entities lacking power, but will have a positive effect globally, relieving the overwhelming power demand for a short time period and increasing awareness for the growing problem our would faces.

Approvals: 1 (Misrantis)

Status: Lacking Support (requires 113 more approvals)

Voting Ends: Wed Feb 7 2007

OK now for some comments.

First of all this resolution will have a major impact on all businesses. Don't ask me how; perhaps the world is insane or perhaps it is something called "statwank" but that's what Environmental All Businesses resolutions do.

Second of all, the world does not share a common universal grid so all these arguments are duplicated ad nauseum in the many nations within the United Nations. Simply put, and energy grid is a grid; you have power supplies and you have power sinks and they all have to balance. Having everyone suddenly turn off the lights (as opposed to cases where they are asked to do so because of increase in general load on the system) could have as much negative impact on the system as having everyone turn on the lights (and air conditioners etc) and I would not want to encourage that in law.

Time for the feedback.
ALARMED by the increasing state of global warming; That's fine in theory, but it's generally accepted the NS universe has multiple worlds with varying enviromental factors - therefore global warming could be considered a local issue rather than a global issue.CONCERNED that continuing on the same path will lead only to global catastrophe;As above. DETERMINED to ensure that the United Nations recognizes this problem;Meh.HEREBY enacts the following:

1. All member nations will take part in a brief, but noticeable absence of all non-essential power for a period of 15 minutes on a date to be agreed upon following the passing of this bill.Define non-essential, and how would this be implemented on households? Would we have a UN gnome in every house in the UN nations to turn off TV's and aircon?.Such a 15 minute absence of non-essential power will have a minimal effect on the individual entities lacking power, but will have a positive effect globally,Sounds a lot like the idea the if every RL inhabitant of China jumped it would cause an earthquake. relieving the overwhelming power demandOverwhelming? For who? Not for Hirota's reactors. for a short time period and increasing awareness for the growing problem our would faces.Our would?

We regret to inform the Feifdom of Misrantis that they are guilty of falling into the trap many new nations fall into. The UN forums have many established regulars who can help write proposals. Glerica has already made an effort to supply constructive feedback - if you are willing to listen and grow a thick skin, we can help.

We wish the fiefdom all the best in future endeavours.

Unfortunately, the statistics don't really add up here...

Turning off all power for 15 minutes will reduce world energy consumption by:

1.04% for that day,
0.15% for that week, and
0.0000041% for that year,

which probably wouldn't have much of an impact.

Perhaps if you are really concerned about the state of the environment then a better way to solve this problem would be to encourage alternative power sources. Depending on a country's level of technology one can encourage the research and development of renewable, environmentally-friendly sources of power.

That small amount isn't worth it. It's not worth the small productivity lost or the time spent to click "Approve".

Or the time spent reading this thread. I want my five minutes back.