THERE once was a pie.
Early last month…
“Countries should finalize ambitious high seas treaty at next round of U.N. talks. Groundbreaking agreement would safeguard global ocean health for future generations.” — Pew Charitable Trusts
“The U.N. treaty that could be the oceans’ last great hope. With a big push from a coalition of nearly 50 countries, can the landmark agreement pass?” — Foreign Policy
“U.N. member states meet in New York to hammer out a high seas treaty. World leaders urged to agree on treaty to protect marine life after groups say planet’s wilderness treated recklessly.” — The Guardian
And then, two weeks later…
“Diplomats from around the world have failed to reach agreement on a United Nations treaty designed to protect marine life on the high seas, after a fifth round of talks ended in impasse.” — Associated Press
“The fifth round of discussion, which began two weeks ago, were designed to establish a U.N. ocean treaty that would set rules for protecting biodiversity in two-thirds of the world’s oceanic areas that lie outside territorial waters. Time has run out. Further delay means ocean destruction. We are sad and disappointed. While countries continue to talk, the oceans and all those who rely on them will suffer.” — The Guardian
“Two weeks of negotiations at the United Nations headquarters in New York City have failed to produce a legally binding agreement to conserve and protect marine biodiversity on the high seas, despite urgent pleas to protect one of the last wild places on the planet from the pressures of climate change, overfishing, shipping and resource harvesting. Many hoped the latest round of negotiations would finally produce a U.N. high seas biodiversity treaty for areas beyond national jurisdiction. The international agreement has been in the works for more than a decade” — CBC News
As you continue reading the above articles, it is not surprising how quickly everyone blames everyone else. The Americans blame the Russians, the Russians blame the EU. Developing countries blame rich countries. If only you would see this my way, we would not have these problems. The plea of every dictator in history.
Some say that each nation is an equal member of the global community and should share equally in the bounty of the sea. Others say that countries with larger populations deserve a greater share of what the sea holds. Some say we should all share in the costs associated with cleaning up and protecting the oceans. Others say those that made the mess are responsible for cleaning it up.
At the end of two weeks of this, representatives of the world solved absolutely nothing.
BC Cook, PhD lived on Saipan and has taught history for 20 years. He currently resides on the mainland U.S.
BC Cook
