UN member states finally agree to a text on the first international treaty after years of negotiations to protect the high seas, a fragile and vital treasure that covers nearly half the planet
When the new treaty comes into force it will allow the creation of marine protected areas in international waters. UN member states have finally agreed to a text on the first international treaty after years of negotiations to protect the high seas, a fragile and vital treasure that covers nearly half the planet.
"The ship has reached the shore," conference chair Rena Lee announced at the UN headquarters in New York shortly before 9:30 pm , to loud and lengthy applause from delegates. The exact wording of the text was not immediately released but activists hailed it as a breakthrough moment for the protection of biodiversity after more than 15 years of discussions. The treaty is seen as essential to conserving 30 percent of the world's land and ocean by 2030, as agreed by world governments in a historic accord signed in Montreal in December. "This is a historic day for conservation and a sign that in a divided world, protecting nature and people can triumph over geopolitics," said Greenpeace's Laura Meller. EU environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius on Sunday called the treaty "a crucial step forward to preserve the marine life and biodiversity that are essential for us and the generations to come." Following two weeks of intense talks, including a marathon overnight session Friday into Saturday, delegates finalised a text that now cannot be significantly altered.The agreement will be formally adopted at a later date once it has been vetted by lawyers and translated into the United Nations' six official languages, she announced. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended the delegates, according to a spokesperson who said the agreement was a "victory for multilateralism and for global efforts to counter the destructive trends facing ocean health, now and for generations to come."The high seas begin at the border of countries' exclusive economic zones, which extend up to 200 nautical miles from coastlines. They thus fall under the jurisdiction of no country. Even though the high seas comprise more than 60 percent of the world's oceans and nearly half the planet's surface, they have long drawn far less attention than coastal waters and a few iconic species. Ocean ecosystems create half the oxygen humans breathe and limit global warming by absorbing much of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities. But they are threatened by climate change, pollution and overfishing. Only about one percent of the high seas are currently protected. When the new treaty comes into force it will allow the creation of marine protected areas in these international waters. "High seas marine protected areas can play a critical role in building resilience to the impact of climate change," said Liz Karan of The Pew Charitable Trusts, which called the agreement a "momentous achievement." The treaty will also oblige countries to conduct environmental impact assessments of proposed activities on the high seas.
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Miami kids eager to tackle climate changeAt the forefront of the climate crisis, Miami is hosting three conferences in the coming days to discuss possible solutions. Two of them will focus on how young people are being affected and what they might be able to do.
Read more »
Climate activists protest Germany's transportation policiesBERLIN (AP) — Thousands of climate protesters, young and old, gathered Friday in Berlin and other German cities to demand tougher government action against global warming, particularly in curbing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.
Read more »
These Men's Rights Activists Literally Worshipped Elon MuskCritics on Twitter called the Indian group's ceremony 'cringe' and 'embarrassing.'
Read more »
Activists Pressure University Of California To Employ Undocumented Students Who Don't Have Work PermitsAdvocates held teach-ins, did campus outreach, and held online actions this week to push UC’s policymakers to allow undocumented students to work university jobs.
Read more »
Critics call for end to Penn Station redesign as developer admits plan no longer viableActivists testified at a State Senate hearing, demanding that lawmakers scrap the project and start over.
Read more »