COMMITTEE: Environment Committee
QUESTION OF: Threat to coastal cities due to global warming
MAIN SUBMITTER: Australia
CO-SUBMITTERS:
CO-SPONSORS:
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
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Alarmed by the threat to coastal cities due to global warming and rising sea levels,
Noting with deep concern the possible effects and results, including water and land pollution, erosion, flooding,
and mass population displacement,
Recognizing the efforts of all environmental professionals, researchers, and the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) working to control climate change,
Realizing that there are no immediate and entirely effective solutions, though several attempts had been made in
the past, such as floodgates and coastal evacuation,
Desiring to decrease the rate of rising sea levels and minimize harm and disruption in coastal cities as a result of
global warming,
1. Urges all nations to exert effort into attacking global warming by:
a. Complying to UN international agreements concerning this subject,
b. Making more aggressive pledges to combat climate change,
c. Changing and/or updating present legislature concerning the reduction of greenhouse gasses
emission, including but not limited to:
i. Appropriate limitations for use of resources and energy,
ii. Appropriate fines for pollution and excess use of resources and energy;
2. Suggests the establishment of a legally binding international agreement that,
a. Places stress and is based on the Copenhagen Accord officially agreed upon at the UNFCCC on
18 December 2009,
b. Includes the agreement of a binding successor or continuation of the Kyoto Protocol, which
currently expires in 2012,
c. Sets updated targets for emission reduction for member nations;
3. Requests the instituting of a sub-committee inside the Environment Committee, that will specifically focus
on the threats and problems posed by rising sea levels and will be responsible for,
a. Providing aid for endangered coastal cities through measures such as,
i. Building temporary floodgates or dams,
ii. Evacuating flood victims with priority for closest residents of serious flood areas,
iii. Impermanent or permanent relocation of major institutes, businesses, companies, and
factories,
iv. Setting up evacuation centers and shelters,
b. Attending the annual UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in order to be,
i. Actively participating in global projects,
ii. Informed of most recent international reports and events,
iii. Involved in discussions and decisions addressing climate change issues,
c. Communicating and/or working with other major NGOs and intergovernmental organizations such
as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) to organize assistance for coastal cities,
d. Operating contact points in designated countries for the routine exchange of information as to be,
i. Updated on the latest research and statistics,
ii. Informed immediately of emergencies;
4. Further urges nations to cooperate with the UN, other nations and NGOs with the aim of assisting
coastal communities by ways not limited to:
a. Sending specialized task forces to assist UN workers in aiding coastal cities,
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b. Allowing the UN, assisting NGOs, and possibly other foreign help to enter the country when
deemed fit,
c. Creating or converting buildings into evacuation centers where the victims of rising sea levels can
be temporarily relocated to;
5. Strongly encourages countries, especially those with coastal communities and/or facing sea level crisis,
to raise public awareness to the issue of rising sea levels by,
a. Advertising through the media, such as,
i. Newspapers and magazines,
ii. Television and radio,
iii. Billboards, posters, and fliers,
b. Major national campaigns,
c. Campaigns in schools and local communities sponsored by the government and/or NGOs,
d. All campaigns and advertisements in any form should be for the purpose of,
i. Educating their population on the significance of rising sea levels,
ii. Emphasizing the importance of cooperation from the people;
6. Calls for a universally adopted town planning system for coastal cities:
a. Set regulations for new constructions, including but not limited to,
i. Building heights above sea level,
ii. Depth of building foundations,
iii. Distance between coastline and architectures,
iv. Appropriate building materials,
b. Mandatory reconstruction or renovation of existing architectures in danger from coastal flooding,
c. Improved water and sewer system to prevent water contamination,
d. Regular governmental inspections on,
i. Flooding situations,
ii. Construction progress,
iii. Architecture and sewer system conditions,
e. Optional improvements or amendments in town planning regulations and construction codes as to
fit current coastal conditions.