Quintessence of Dust
03-06-2007, 13:47
Environmental Science
Category: Education and Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational
The United Nations,
Aware that many of the most critical issues of daily life involve resource management and the maintenance of a harmonious balance with the natural world,
Further aware that some such issues have widespread political ramifications and that meaningful action on them requires a full and developed knowledge of the underlying science,
Therefore recognising the importance of environmental science not only as one particular branch of the natural sciences, but also for enhancing public understanding of the natural world,
Further recognising that environmental science can lead to the formulation of community and governmental policies, and personal and business strategies, to recognise and mitigate problems of environmental degradation while promoting sustainable development,
Believing that such can promote ‘bottom-up’ solutions to environmental problems, allowing individuals to make rational choices rather than depending on stringent government oversight,
Expressing its hope that the presentation of an award to leaders in the field could serve as an inspiration for its further pursuit while bringing to greater public acclaim such important work,
Concluding that promotion of environmental science is a worthy aim of an international body:
1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution, ‘environmental science’ as the pursuit of understanding of the natural environment through the scientific process, and especially that concerning the interaction of natural and artificial components, the effect of economic activities upon the environment, the development of solutions to problems within these relationships, and the search for sustainable modes of development;
2. Declares that not more than once per year, the UN Awards Committee shall grant the UN Environmental Science Prize to one or more persons, whether in recognition of individual achievements or on behalf of a project or organization, for research conducted in one or more member nations;
3. Establishes the following criteria for consideration of eligibility:
- the work recognised advances the cause of international environmental science;
- all research abides by good academic practice, including all appropriate ethical standards;
- all sources of funding are openly disclosed;
- projects employing or advocating irresponsible or illegal acts, such as the deliberate destruction of property, in the supposed name of environmental causes, are excluded from consideration;
4. Authorises the UNAC to further award, at their discretion, Medals of Leafy Goodness to businesses based in member nations, whose activities contribute to sustainable development through application of sound environmental science, for example through the mitigation of pollution or the development of more efficient means of renewable energy production;
5. Excludes from the above consideration any businesses having a poor record of compliance with environmental regulations and demonstrating no signs of willingness to improve in this area;
6. Promotes the study of environmental science throughout all member nations, and emphasises support for projects bringing understanding of the value and importance of environmental science to a wider audience;
7. Encourages member nations to fund research projects and courses of study in environmental science, and/or to allow those involved to apply for funding from other sources, such as the UNEAF.
FAQ (which Ambassador Madison pronounces in a most unbecoming way)
National sovereignty!
Not really. The most this does is force you to recognise the good work of the recipient of the prize; as with the UN Economics Prize, this is clearly very sovereignty friendly.
Funding!!
No. The committee itself is funded as per the UN Economics Prize; the educational portions you don't have to fund, and as stated can defer the funding of to something like the UNEAF.
Too mild!!!
Yes, it is quite mild. But the reason for this is important: environmental science, by its very nature, has to be adapted to the circumstances (the clue is in the word 'environmental'). So it would make little sense to adopt a really firm mandate: in some communities, such bottom-up strategies could be very successful; in others, they might be less effective.
Silly!!!!
'Leafy Goodness' is a minor joke: at most, it's a 'heh'. It doesn't make the whole proposal a joke, and if the killjoys absolutely insist, it can be changed to 'Awards for Sustainable Development' or something similarly zzzzzzzz
Tree-hugger!!!!!
Somewhat, but the point of this is to promote sustainable development. The idea is that sometimes the market doesn't work, because people don't have all the information at their disposal to make rational choices. But if they did, they might make rational choices, and then heavy regulation and taxation might not be necessary in the first place.
Anyway, we welcome comments and criticisms.
-- Samantha Benson
Acting Chair, The Green Think Tank (http://s13.invisionfree.com/Green_Think_Tank)
Category: Education and Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational
The United Nations,
Aware that many of the most critical issues of daily life involve resource management and the maintenance of a harmonious balance with the natural world,
Further aware that some such issues have widespread political ramifications and that meaningful action on them requires a full and developed knowledge of the underlying science,
Therefore recognising the importance of environmental science not only as one particular branch of the natural sciences, but also for enhancing public understanding of the natural world,
Further recognising that environmental science can lead to the formulation of community and governmental policies, and personal and business strategies, to recognise and mitigate problems of environmental degradation while promoting sustainable development,
Believing that such can promote ‘bottom-up’ solutions to environmental problems, allowing individuals to make rational choices rather than depending on stringent government oversight,
Expressing its hope that the presentation of an award to leaders in the field could serve as an inspiration for its further pursuit while bringing to greater public acclaim such important work,
Concluding that promotion of environmental science is a worthy aim of an international body:
1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution, ‘environmental science’ as the pursuit of understanding of the natural environment through the scientific process, and especially that concerning the interaction of natural and artificial components, the effect of economic activities upon the environment, the development of solutions to problems within these relationships, and the search for sustainable modes of development;
2. Declares that not more than once per year, the UN Awards Committee shall grant the UN Environmental Science Prize to one or more persons, whether in recognition of individual achievements or on behalf of a project or organization, for research conducted in one or more member nations;
3. Establishes the following criteria for consideration of eligibility:
- the work recognised advances the cause of international environmental science;
- all research abides by good academic practice, including all appropriate ethical standards;
- all sources of funding are openly disclosed;
- projects employing or advocating irresponsible or illegal acts, such as the deliberate destruction of property, in the supposed name of environmental causes, are excluded from consideration;
4. Authorises the UNAC to further award, at their discretion, Medals of Leafy Goodness to businesses based in member nations, whose activities contribute to sustainable development through application of sound environmental science, for example through the mitigation of pollution or the development of more efficient means of renewable energy production;
5. Excludes from the above consideration any businesses having a poor record of compliance with environmental regulations and demonstrating no signs of willingness to improve in this area;
6. Promotes the study of environmental science throughout all member nations, and emphasises support for projects bringing understanding of the value and importance of environmental science to a wider audience;
7. Encourages member nations to fund research projects and courses of study in environmental science, and/or to allow those involved to apply for funding from other sources, such as the UNEAF.
FAQ (which Ambassador Madison pronounces in a most unbecoming way)
National sovereignty!
Not really. The most this does is force you to recognise the good work of the recipient of the prize; as with the UN Economics Prize, this is clearly very sovereignty friendly.
Funding!!
No. The committee itself is funded as per the UN Economics Prize; the educational portions you don't have to fund, and as stated can defer the funding of to something like the UNEAF.
Too mild!!!
Yes, it is quite mild. But the reason for this is important: environmental science, by its very nature, has to be adapted to the circumstances (the clue is in the word 'environmental'). So it would make little sense to adopt a really firm mandate: in some communities, such bottom-up strategies could be very successful; in others, they might be less effective.
Silly!!!!
'Leafy Goodness' is a minor joke: at most, it's a 'heh'. It doesn't make the whole proposal a joke, and if the killjoys absolutely insist, it can be changed to 'Awards for Sustainable Development' or something similarly zzzzzzzz
Tree-hugger!!!!!
Somewhat, but the point of this is to promote sustainable development. The idea is that sometimes the market doesn't work, because people don't have all the information at their disposal to make rational choices. But if they did, they might make rational choices, and then heavy regulation and taxation might not be necessary in the first place.
Anyway, we welcome comments and criticisms.
-- Samantha Benson
Acting Chair, The Green Think Tank (http://s13.invisionfree.com/Green_Think_Tank)