[PASSED] Nuclear Testing Safety

[Darenjo]

NOTICE: Sorry. Poll got screwed up. I tried to edit it (to include separate options for delegates and non-delegates) and it just went wacko. Sorry! Please voice your opinion by posting.

Just Questions I thought should be put here:

So what does this do?

This proposal sets down a series of rules regarding where and how nations can conduct tests of nuclear weapons. It also creates a WA agency to come up with another set of rules that we - Cardoness and Darenjo - couldn't really agree on when writing this proposal.

Would this allow the usage of nuclear weapon to execute the death penalty and call it a test? - This was asked before i submitted it and i don't want it asked again.

In short, no.

Under this proposal, would the death or injury of people protesting a nuclear test count as a 'direct affect' of a test?

No. Directly dying or being injured as a result of a nuclear test means dying or being injured in the explosion or due to radiation, seismic activity, etc, not the actions of other people.

What is a geosynchronous orbit and what does 'well-defined, generally agreed-upon mean?

Geosynchronous orbit - an orbit around a celestial body where an orbiting object will always be above the same point. Ex. if a satellite in orbit permanently stayed above your capital city, then it would be in geosynchronous orbit.

Well-defined and generally agreed-upon - Some bodies' geosynchronous orbits are either unstable or not constant over the entire body. Due to this, some bodies' geosynchronous orbits may be disputed by several nations or organizations. This makes more trouble then it's worth to ensure compliance and so an exception has been made in these cases - see proposal for more details.

How much radiation do i have to clean up after a test?

If this is passed, then the default rule would be that enough radiation must be cleaned up so that if you tested for radiation in the area, the level would be within 25% of the levels from before the test - keep in mind that this does not mean that you have to clean up 75% of radiation; it may be more or less depending on the test.

Why is this under Global Disarmament?

This is under Global Disarmament because it was the category that best fit, not because I wanted to "slash global military spending".

Nuclear Testing Safety

Category: Global Disarmament | Strength: Significant | Proposed by: Darenjo

KNOWING that nuclear weapons are often needed for national defense,

BUT CONCERNED about the effects of nuclear tests including but not limited to: nuclear fallout, radiation, intense and deadly heatwaves and fire blasts, EMP waves and bursts, natural disasters, injury and death, and seismic activity,

BELIEVING that the unsupervised and unregulated testing of nuclear weapons poses an unnecessary risk to civilians and uninvolved armed forces,

HOPING to create greater safety regarding the testing of nuclear weapons,

The General Assembly hereby adopts the following measures:

DEFINES 'nuclear testing' as the usage of a nuclear weapon for research purposes, that is not targeted to destroy or affect a civilian, military, or prisoner populace;

RESTRICTS nuclear testing to areas where the testing and its aftereffects will not directly affect surrounding populaces;

BANS nuclear testing within the area between the edge of a populated celestial body's atmosphere and twice the distance of geosychronous orbit - measured at the equator of said celestial body;

SHOULD an inhabited celestial body lack an atmosphere or a well-defined, generally agreed-upon geosynchronous orbit, then nuclear-testing nations should refer to the above 'restricts' clause;

DECLARES that WA nations who test nuclear weapons shall be responsible for ensuring that the aftereffects of nuclear tests do not directly affect civilian, prisoner, or uninvolved military populaces;

ESTABLISHES the following rules that are to be followed for the process of testing nuclear weapons:
1. All tests must be thoroughly and fully supervised to ensure compliance with WA regulations
2. All tests be constructed so that the aftereffects of such tests do not directly affect other nations without their previous and explicit permission
3. All WA nations be able to quickly and efficiently clean up fallout from nuclear tests
4. All WA nations take as many precautions as necessary to ensure the absence of unnecessary death or injury due to nuclear testing;

EXEMPTS mild seismic activity that has been shown not to cause significant damage to settlements from the second rule above;

ESTABLISHES the Nuclear Testing Oversight Agency (NTOA) to:
1. Ensure that compliance of member states with WA regulations
2. To create guidelines for the cleanup of areas following nuclear tests - Until such time as the NTOA shall establish such guidelines pertaining to environmental cleanup, all nations that test nuclear weapons must perform adequate cleanup so that background radiation is returned to within 25% of levels present before the test
3. To supervise nuclear tests upon invitation from nuclear-testing nations
4. To fulfill any other atomic-related function the WA may see fit to assign it through future law

IMPLORES nations to place their tests in areas where EMP waves and bursts will not affect non-involved populaces;

Co-authored by Cardoness.

[Quelesh]

BANS nuclear testing within the area between the edge of a populated celestial body's atmosphere and twice the distance of geosychronous orbit - measured at the equator of said celestial body;

This is better, because it does not prohibit all testing on the surface or in the atmosphere. One potential problem though is that the boundary between the atmosphere and space is difficult to define. There is no universally agreed-upon sharp boundary. If by "edge of... [the] atmosphere" you mean the thermopause, it's probably best to use that terminology. If you mean the upper boundary of the exosphere, then on earth at least that is well beyond twice the distance of geosynchronous orbit. If you mean the geocorona, that also is, at least on earth, beyond twice the distance of geosynchronous orbit.

[Echoshock]

BANS nuclear testing within the area between the edge of a populated celestial body's atmosphere and twice the distance of geosychronous orbit - measured at the equator of said celestial body;

This is better, because it does not prohibit all testing on the surface or in the atmosphere. One potential problem though is that the boundary between the atmosphere and space is difficult to define. There is no universally agreed-upon sharp boundary. If by "edge of... [the] atmosphere" you mean the thermopause, it's probably best to use that terminology. If you mean the upper boundary of the exosphere, then on earth at least that is well beyond twice the distance of geosynchronous orbit. If you mean the geocorona, that also is, at least on earth, beyond twice the distance of geosynchronous orbit.

The thermosphere has no definite end. So unless I am mistaken, then the thermopause really is debatable to a) decide if it exists
b) decide where it is.

[Mugar-Gorlok Minor]

4. All WA nations take as many precautions as necessary to ensure the absence of unnecessary death or injury due to nuclear testing;

My remark has not been taken into account.
Death and injury are, in the case of a nuclear test, unnecessary. The word "unnecessary" is useless and dangerous as it may be an excuse for some barbaric nations to do some testing, that they consider necessary, on human being (or any species represented at the WA). Or maybe there's a logical and reasonable reason to do so, but I'm really sceptic about that.
It is a clear threat for anybody, including our nationals, visiting other countries and, therefore, we should vote against such resolution.

By the way, I don't think that anybody should have the right to do any testing on a land or space not belonging to them, inhabited or not. Add something like "within the border of the sovereign state's territory doing the nuclear test" will be great (this include space and water of course).

[Cardoness]

I like this draft (I liked the last one too), but I have some questions.
1) Why the equator?
2) This will allow testing in the air?
3) What about making the clause read something to the effect that no aerospace test could be conducted which would damage any foreign equipment either on the ground, in the air, or in space, without consent? This would effect the intent of the original clause without having to worry about distance from X.

[Turtatalia]

We are happy with this proposal still, our opinion has not changed at all

[Manticore Reborn]

We believe that most ambassadors to this assembly would probably class us in the liberal or federalist faction of this body. However, we shall go against that assumption and state that in no way will the Star Kingdom of Manticore Reborn ever vote for legislation such as this.

[Darenjo]

I like this draft (I liked the last one too), but I have some questions.
1) Why the equator?
2) This will allow testing in the air?
3) What about making the clause read something to the effect that no aerospace test could be conducted which would damage any foreign equipment either on the ground, in the air, or in space, without consent? This would effect the intent of the original clause without having to worry about distance from X.

First of all, yes I will take out the word 'unnecessary'.

1. the equator because technically if you could keep a satellite 1 inch above the north pole of a planet at all times then it'd be in geosynchronous orbit
2. The one at vote was supposed to allow air testing, just make it extremely difficult.
3. I'm pretty sure that's already covered:

All tests be constructed so that the aftereffects of such tests do not directly affect other nations without their previous and explicit permission

[Darenjo]

BANS nuclear testing within the area between the edge of a populated celestial body's atmosphere and twice the distance of geosychronous orbit - measured at the equator of said celestial body;

This is better, because it does not prohibit all testing on the surface or in the atmosphere. One potential problem though is that the boundary between the atmosphere and space is difficult to define. There is no universally agreed-upon sharp boundary. If by "edge of... [the] atmosphere" you mean the thermopause, it's probably best to use that terminology. If you mean the upper boundary of the exosphere, then on earth at least that is well beyond twice the distance of geosynchronous orbit. If you mean the geocorona, that also is, at least on earth, beyond twice the distance of geosynchronous orbit.

I'm thinking of using the mesopause.

[Darenjo]

4. All WA nations take as many precautions as necessary to ensure the absence of unnecessary death or injury due to nuclear testing;

By the way, I don't think that anybody should have the right to do any testing on a land or space not belonging to them, inhabited or not. Add something like "within the border of the sovereign state's territory doing the nuclear test" will be great (this include space and water of course).

The problem with that is that many nations (including nuclear ones) are very small. My idea was to allow testing in unclaimed/unowned, uninhabited land. I mean, for a RL example, could you imagine what would happen if Israel tested a nuke within its national borders?

[Mugar-Gorlok Minor]

Good point.

Mugar-Gorlok Minor will certainly approve the modified resolution. Still, some discussion will be a good thing to clarify the issue of the allowed location.

[Darenjo]

Good point.

Mugar-Gorlok Minor will certainly approve the modified resolution. Still, some discussion will be a good thing to clarify the issue of the allowed location.

Yeah i'm waiting for more people (which will probably happen after the at vote version goes away).

[Quelesh]

This is better, because it does not prohibit all testing on the surface or in the atmosphere. One potential problem though is that the boundary between the atmosphere and space is difficult to define. There is no universally agreed-upon sharp boundary. If by "edge of... [the] atmosphere" you mean the thermopause, it's probably best to use that terminology. If you mean the upper boundary of the exosphere, then on earth at least that is well beyond twice the distance of geosynchronous orbit. If you mean the geocorona, that also is, at least on earth, beyond twice the distance of geosynchronous orbit.

I'm thinking of using the mesopause.

That would work too, as far as I know, though I'm not particularly knowledgeable about what effects nuclear detonations in the lower thermosphere may have. This page has some interesting info though.

[Ddreigiau]

By the way, I don't think that anybody should have the right to do any testing on a land or space not belonging to them, inhabited or not. Add something like "within the border of the sovereign state's territory doing the nuclear test" will be great (this include space and water of course).

The problem with that is that many nations (including nuclear ones) are very small. My idea was to allow testing in unclaimed/unowned, uninhabited land. I mean, for a RL example, could you imagine what would happen if Israel tested a nuke within its national borders?

Well, then we wouldn't be hearing about the unrest in Palestine anymore...

You should put a definition on how much fallout must be cleaned up: it is impossible to clean up everything but if you were to say, clean up enough fallout so that it met the real world EPA's regulations for radiation and nuclear-detonation-involved materials (uranium/plutonium/other) contamination, or to establish a committee to create these guidelines independently

[Darenjo]

The problem with that is that many nations (including nuclear ones) are very small. My idea was to allow testing in unclaimed/unowned, uninhabited land. I mean, for a RL example, could you imagine what would happen if Israel tested a nuke within its national borders?

Well, then we wouldn't be hearing about the unrest in Palestine anymore...

You should put a definition on how much fallout must be cleaned up: it is impossible to clean up everything but if you were to say, clean up enough fallout so that it met the real world EPA's regulations for radiation and nuclear-detonation-involved materials (uranium/plutonium/other) contamination, or to establish a committee to create these guidelines independently

So maybe 90% or something around these lines:

All nations must be able to quickly and efficiently clean up enough fallout to prevent any extensive damage to settlements or the environment

[Cardoness]

I like the idea of setting up an independent commission to establish the guidelines for fallout cleanup.

[Turtatalia]

I like the idea of setting up an independent commission to establish the guidelines for fallout cleanup.

That would work - particularly as it would be maintained by WA gnomes and thus would need absolutely no interference from any member nations

[Darenjo]

I can understand why you guys would want an independent commission: it takes any set amount, and therefore a lot of opposition, out of the equation. However, too many times clauses like that have been used to ignore the rules of resolutions because the commissions, run by gnomes, never do announce the 'guidelines'.

[Burninati0n]

My position: just drop this already.

[Grays Harbor]

My position: just drop this already.

Agreed

[Darenjo]

I can respect Grays Harbors' position: he has contributed much to the WA over time. But Burnination? Have you done anything for the WA besides slam my proposal?

[Ddreigiau]

I can understand why you guys would want an independent commission: it takes any set amount, and therefore a lot of opposition, out of the equation. However, too many times clauses like that have been used to ignore the rules of resolutions because the commissions, run by gnomes, never do announce the 'guidelines'.

then insert another clause stating "Fallout must be recovered in enough quantities to ensure that radioactive isotopes do not cumulatively exceed regulated limits.
The limits for radioactivity shall be set at 15 picocuries per liter in water, 5 picocuries per liter in air, and 10 picocuries per liter in soil until [insert commission acronym here] announces otherwise."

15 picocuries/L is the EPA maximum allowed radiation in drinking water
4 pCi/L is what EPA-related legislation attempts to get airborne radiation levels to
I guessed at the soil one; I couldn't find relevant guidelines online

[Manticore Reborn]

15 picocuries/L is the EPA maximum allowed radiation in drinking water
4 pCi/L is what EPA-related legislation attempts to get airborne radiation levels to
I guessed at the soil one; I couldn't find relevant guidelines online

You really can't use RL guideline. Different species may be able to handle more or less radioactivity in their water, air and soil.

[Darenjo]

You really can't use RL guideline. Different species may be able to handle more or less radioactivity in their water, air and soil.

Yeah. Remember that NS is a multi-species multiverse (as weird as that does sound). Ddreigiau, i do like that first phrase though.

[Cardoness]

If you create a international agency to come up with the guidelines, you avoid having to specify those guidelines in the resolution, and getting it defeated again because whatever guidelines you came up with are lethal to Zarquads. We have to think broad, and since writing every conceivable detail into a proposal is not really feasible the next best thing is to set up a commission to do it for us.