[PASSED] Volcanic Activity Convention

[Minskiev]

"Ambassador, we recommend working further on your definition of volcano. Might we ask why you haven't simply left the term undefined so nations may use the dictionary definition with, in our opinion, would be the best solution to this tricky problem. It's not like you're going anymore specific than the dictionary definition anyway.

Other than that, we recommend using just 'recent' instead of 'recent past' in clause 2.a.iii."

Fixed the definition, hopefully.

Also edited per your second suggestion.

Among other things, burst water mains are now volcanoes.

Fixed.

-snip-

Welcome back! Love the changes, and great touch with the MAGMA

[Araraukar]

OOC: Nature itself conspires against the rewrittal now; it knows I don't like plugging in the computer during a thunderstorm.

[Ardiveds]

OOC: I'm not necessarily complaining but I don't exactly get the logic behind defining volcano when your definition is pretty much the same one that nations would have to use if it was left undefined.

[Wallenburg]

OOC: I'm not necessarily complaining but I don't exactly get the logic behind defining volcano when your definition is pretty much the same one that nations would have to use if it was left undefined.

Basically this. The definition has been such a needless source of problems when you can just rely on members to interpret "volcano" as "volcano". Interpreting it as meaning "chocolate lava cake" isn't good faith and everyone knows it.

[Minskiev]

OOC: I'm not necessarily complaining but I don't exactly get the logic behind defining volcano when your definition is pretty much the same one that nations would have to use if it was left undefined.

I defined it because of earlier questions about what a volcano is. Not like "wait whats a volcano again" but "what is a volcano" so that's mainly why there's a definition. I'll omit it if you so wish; a volcano is a volcano.

OOC: I'm not necessarily complaining but I don't exactly get the logic behind defining volcano when your definition is pretty much the same one that nations would have to use if it was left undefined.

Basically this. The definition has been such a needless source of problems when you can just rely on members to interpret "volcano" as "volcano". Interpreting it as meaning "chocolate lava cake" isn't good faith and everyone knows it.

Above

OOC: Nature itself conspires against the rewrittal now; it knows I don't like plugging in the computer during a thunderstorm.

It knows what we're doing!

[Ardiveds]

OOC: I'm not necessarily complaining but I don't exactly get the logic behind defining volcano when your definition is pretty much the same one that nations would have to use if it was left undefined.

I defined it because of earlier questions about what a volcano is. Not like "wait whats a volcano again" but "what is a volcano" so that's mainly why there's a definition. I'll omit it if you so wish; a volcano is a volcano.

OOC: In that case, yea keep it. Just know even if you don't keep it, those asking 'what is a volcano' will have to accept a volcano is a volcano, should this pass.

[Araraukar]

OOC post.

Last evening/night was the fiercest thunderstorm we've had in these parts for several years. Sneaking this version online before Mother Nature decides to up the ante with a meteor strike or something like that.

Still a work in progress, but bit further this time. Comments in this colour. And I realize there's more comment than draft currently, but eh, that happens.

Volcanic Activity Master Plan
Title still kind of a jokey one though still actually used in the active clauses. Plus given the plan of the title is a collection of other plans, calling it "master plan" sounded more apt.

Category: Regulation
Area of Effect: Safety

The World Assembly,

Mindful that volcanic activity, even of disastrous proportions, is largely unpreventable and often only partially predictable,

Also aware of there being limited options of combatting an active volcano or the hazards created by it,

Granting that disaster preparedness in general is already required by a previously passed resolution,

Mortified that the previous resolution does nothing to even encourage cooperation between member nations when it comes to handling disasters like volcanic eruptions, or even informing the citizens of the nation in which the eruption happens,

Attempting to lay down the ground rules for an action plan during volcanic activity, to make cooperation between all those affected by a specific volcanic event easier and faster, and to cut down unnecessary bureaucracy in the hour of need,

Ok so I had a proper look-see through #105, and it has the committee operating early warning systems and such, but everything seems to be going through the committee, no nation-to-nation cooperation stuff at all. So, rewritten properly, this would indeed be expanding on the general stuff laid out by the previous resolution and thus not duplication. Which I had serious doubts about before.

The language of the preamble is unchanged from previous version. Mainly it's meant to specify the new direction I intended to take with the rewrite, and also explain how this is NOT just duplication of the previous resolution. Also, MAGMA.

Hereby,

1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution, a "volcanic hazard" as any serious hazard to people or infrastructure caused directly by volcanic activity, including but not limited to airborne volcanic ash, toxic gas eruptions and lava flows,

2. Mandates that member nations that in part or in whole lie in volcanically active areas create a Volcanic Activity Master Plan, which contains, at minimum,

1. a list that is kept up to date of population centers and essential infrastructure that would be at risk of serious damage or destruction from volcanic hazards,
2. variable evacuation plans for population centers at risk, to account for different kinds of volcanic hazards,
3. emergency services prioritization plan to better enable the evacuation and protection of population, and
4. plans for
   
   1. monitoring evacuated areas to prevent people from returning prematurely, and to, when possible, prevent loss of property to other but volcanic hazards,
   2. cleaning up the debris left over from volcanic activity, when possible,
   3. rebuilding essential infrastructure that has been damaged or destroyed by volcanic activity, and
   4. people returning safely to their homes,

Not necessarily a finished list, but maybe a starting point for one. I'm not from an area of the planet where any kind of major disaster thing was likely (not even floods from snowmelt), so I don't actually personally know what such an action plan would have, but I put in some things that sounded obvious to me and which would need to be accounted for with volcanic hazards.

As for subclause 2.c.: a lava flow can cause a forest fire, but you really should be more concerned about the lava than the fire, unless the fire is about to make a major highway used for evacuation unusable, in which case that fire should get priority so people can get the hell away from the lava. That's what it's meant to say, but I can't think of a better way to say it right now. Maybe you can.

Also, that last sub-subclause is important, because I know of cases in RL that have to do with volcanic eruptions, where that last one was ignored, and that led to additional trouble (people going back too early, before stuff like, say, waste management had been sorted out, and then shitty drinking water led to epidemics).

3. Also requires that member nations make the populations living in areas of volcanic activity aware of the volcanic hazards, how to best protect themselves from them, and what to do in case of volcanic acivity.

Not specifying whether to do an advert campaign or school classes or whatnot, because that'll depend very much on the culture in question, and so is best left up to the nations to decide.

I'm almost certain I've missed something important entirely, but can't put my finger on it. Comments from others should be helpful.

[Minskiev]

-snip-

I'm almost certain I've missed something important entirely, but can't put my finger on it. Comments from others should be helpful.

Cooperation between member states

Thanks for your revision, however.

[Araraukar]

I'm almost certain I've missed something important entirely, but can't put my finger on it. Comments from others should be helpful.

Cooperation between member states.

OOC: Dangit, I knew it was something really obvious. Teaches me to write anything late at night. Want me to do a version 3 for you? I don't need coauthor status or anything, I just want you to have something better to start from, when trying to write a more sensible proposal.

[Minskiev]

Cooperation between member states.

OOC: Dangit, I knew it was something really obvious. Teaches me to write anything late at night. Want me to do a version 3 for you? I don't need coauthor status or anything, I just want you to have something better to start from, when trying to write a more sensible proposal.

I don't mind. I have, however, taken a lot of your suggestions into account, so maybe you could base v3 on my draft?

And depending on how much I end up using your suggestions, I might add you as a co-author. You've by far been the most helpful in the drafting process of this proposal.

[Araraukar]

I don't mind. I have, however, taken a lot of your suggestions into account, so maybe you could base v3 on my draft?

OOC: It doesn't really work. I tried, but like I said before, your proposal is such a mess that it's really not salvageable as is. You'd be better off deleting it and writing a new one entirely, without even looking at what you had before. Focus on your category/AoE combo, too, and remember that the EXISTING resolution makes everything go through the committee. You want to focus on the member nations working together and on their own, to get things done.

I'll TG you more, to avoid cluttering the thread.

[Minskiev]

I don't mind. I have, however, taken a lot of your suggestions into account, so maybe you could base v3 on my draft?

OOC: It doesn't really work. I tried, but like I said before, your proposal is such a mess that it's really not salvageable as is. You'd be better off deleting it and writing a new one entirely, without even looking at what you had before. Focus on your category/AoE combo, too, and remember that the EXISTING resolution makes everything go through the committee. You want to focus on the member nations working together and on their own, to get things done.

I'll TG you more, to avoid cluttering the thread.

Edited.

[Minskiev]

I'll bump, why not.

[Minskiev]

Aaaand another.

[Vikanias]

Hehe, volcanos.

[Minskiev]

Hehe, volcanos.

Volcanoes indeed.

[Araraukar]

I'll bump, why not.

OOC: Alive. Kind of. At times wishing I wasn't. *makes zombie noises* Will try to get more feedback for you later today. Right now on mobile device. If you haven't heard from me by today (Sunday) 22:00 BST, assume I'm dead I forgot and poke me in TGs.

[Minskiev]

Will bump again, I guess. Does anybody have any major concerns that would require a rewrite to fix?

[Old Hope]

sup

first time drafting a ga proposal here goes

Notes:

• Name WIP

Draft 5:

Title: Volcanic Activity Convention
Category: Regulation
Area of Effect: Safety

The World Assembly,

Mindful that some nations are ill-prepared in the case of volcanic activity and that volcanic activity is mostly unpreventable;

Aware of the consequences that eruptions and volcanic hazards have on the environment and society if such volcanic activity is unprepared for;

Granting that disaster preparedness is already required by a previously passed resolution;

Mortified that the previous resolution says nothing on cooperation between member nations when it comes to handling disasters like multinational volcanic activity;

Attempting to legislate for a plan of action during volcanic activity, to help cooperation between all those affected by volcanic activity;

Hereby:

1. Defines, for this resolution, volcanic activity as any volcanic eruption or byproduct of a volcanic eruption;
   
   
2. Mandates that nations at risk of volcanic activity:
   
   1. Address all predicted, current, and recent past volcanic activity within national borders by:
      
      1. preparing for volcanic activity while working to minimize the loss of life, damage to the environment, and property damage potentially caused by volcanic activity;
      2. actively preventing further damage and distributing necessary resources to where they are needed; and
      3. reversing the damage caused by recent volcanic activity within reason;
   2. Work with nations likely to be significantly affected to prepare for any volcanic activity via communication and combined efforts to protect the general public from volcanic activity or the damage it will or has caused, including aid in an evacuation(If an affected nation is not a member, only to the extent allowed by that non-member nation);
   3. Inform their populace with regularly updated, widely available, and locally specific information on the dangers of volcanic activity however they see fit;
   4. Take whichever evacuation measures ensure that:
      
      1. anyone at immediate risk of volcanic activity knows how to evacuate, where to evacuate to, and when not to evacuate;
      2. local authorities, law enforcement, and emergency services are ready for evacuation, are trained to direct traffic during an evacuation, and are capable of evacuating those unable to evacuate themselves;
      3. complete evacuation time is minimal through proper use of infrastructure;
      4. emergency shelters are mobile and flexible enough to house and meet the demands of the evacuated;
3. Recommends that nations at risk of volcanic activity:
   
   1. Expand upon current infrastructure to better protect the general public from volcanic activity when necessary;
   2. Work with the World Assembly Disaster Bureau and all other relevant WA organizations to improve the safety of the general public through warning systems, evacuation procedures, food, water, and shelter distribution, and the prevention of premature returns to evacuated areas;
   
   Co-authored by Araraukar

Title: Volcanic Activity Compact
Category: Regulation
Area of Effect: Safety

The World Assembly,

Acknowledging that many nations are home to volcanoes, both dormant and active;

Observing that some nations do not have adequate precautionary measures against said volcanoes and any hazards that they may cause;

Understanding the consequences that eruptions and volcanic hazards have on the environment and the international population if such volcanic activity is unprepared for, due to the possibility of volcanic eruptions or hazards escaping national borders;

Alarmed at the apparent lack of legislation for evacuating, sheltering, or preventing the loss of life, environmental damage, and property damage in the case of multinational volcanic activity, risking the safety of the general public;

Hereby:

1. Defines:
   
   1. a volcano as a vent in the earth's surface that erupts various dangerous substances;
   2. volcanic activity as any volcanic eruption or byproduct of a volcanic eruption;
   3. a volcanic hazard as any environmental hazard to society and infrastructure caused by volcanic activity;
2. Mandates that member states:
   
   1. Address all predicted, current, and recent past volcanic activity within national borders, to the best extent possible, when possible within reason, by:
      
      1. preparing for volcanic activity in whichever way minimizes the loss of life, damage to the environment, and property damage;
      2. actively preventing further damage and distributing necessary resources to where they are needed;
      3. reversing the damage caused by recent volcanic activity if possible within reason;
   2. Work with nations likely to be significantly affected to prepare for any volcanic activity via communication and combined efforts to expand upon current infrastructure and plans to protect the general public from volcanic activity or the damage it will or has caused;
   3. Work with the World Assembly Disaster Bureau and all other relevant WA organizations to improve the safety of the general public through warning systems, evacuation procedures, and food, water, and shelter distribution;
3. Recommends that member states at risk of volcanic activity:
   
   1. Educate their populations on safety procedures in the event of particular volcanic activity;
   2. Expand upon current infrastructure to better protect the general public from certain volcanic activity;
4. Directs member states containing non-extinct volcanoes to:
   
   1. Research the recorded eruption history of their non-extinct volcanoes;
   2. Install proper instrumentation on said volcanoes;
   3. Monitor and interpret the data coming from that equipment;
   4. Estimate the frequency of these eruptions;
   5. Share all applicable information relevant to volcanic activity with the WADB;
      
      1. The WADB will compile collected data from clause 4 to judge the threat that different volcanoes pose;
      2. The WADB will study and distribute information on volcanoes and their eruptions and hazards;

Title: Volcanic Activity Protocol
Category: International Security
Strength: Mild

The World Assembly,

Acknowledging that many nations are home to volcanoes, both dormant and active;

Observing that some nations do not have adequate precautionary measures against said volcanoes and any hazards that they may cause;

Understanding the consequences that eruptions and volcanic hazards have on the environment and the international population if such volcanic activity is unprepared for, due to the possibility of volcanic eruptions or hazards escaping national borders;

Alarmed at the apparent lack of legislation needed to evacuate, shelter, or prevent the loss of life, environmental damage, and property damage in the case of multinational volcanic activity;

Hereby:

1. Defines a volcanic hazard as any environmental hazard to society and infrastructure caused by volcanic activity;
   
   
2. Mandates that member states:
   
   1. Address all predicted, current, and recent past volcanic activity within national borders, to the best extent possible, when possible;
   2. Liaise with nations likely to be significantly affected to prepare for any, predicted or unpredicted by the World Assembly Disaster Bureau, volcanic activity via communication and combined efforts to expand upon current infrastructure and plans to better combat volcanic activity or the damage it will or has caused;
   3. Share all applicable information relevant to volcanic activity with the WADB;
   4. Work with the WADB and all other relevant WA organizations to predict volcanic activity;
   5. Create data from scientific models of volcanic activity scenarios to determine what sizes and types of eruptions and volcanic hazards could endanger the national population, and send the aforementioned data to the WADB;
3. Recommends that member states:
   
   1. Educate their populations on safety procedures in the event of volcanic activity;
   2. Expand upon current infrastructure to better combat volcanic activity;
4. Instructs the WADB to:
   
   1. Research the recorded eruption history of volcanoes;
   2. Install proper instrumentation on said volcanoes;
   3. Monitor and interpret the data coming from that equipment;
   4. Estimate the frequency of these eruptions;
   5. Compile collected data from clause 2e to better judge the threat different volcanoes pose;
   6. Study and distribute information on volcanoes and their eruptions and hazards;
5. Acknowledges the right of member states to:
   
   1. Operate their own national volcanic activity detection system;
   2. Use discretion as to the hazards requiring education in safety procedures for their population;

Title: Volcanic Activity Protocol
Category: International Security
Strength: Mild

The World Assembly,

Acknowledging that many nations are home to volcanoes, both dormant and active;

Observing that some nations do not have adequate precautionary measures against said volcanoes and any hazards that they may cause;

Understanding the consequences that eruptions and volcanic hazards have on the environment and the international population if such volcanic activity is unprepared for, due to the possibility of volcanic eruptions or hazards escaping national borders;

Alarmed at the apparent lack of legislation needed to evacuate, shelter, or prevent the loss of life, environmental damage, and property damage in the case of multinational volcanic activity;

Hereby:

1. Defines a volcanic hazard as any environmental hazard caused by volcanic activity;
   
   
2. Directs member states to:
   
   1. Address all fallout from predicted, current, and past volcanic activity within national borders, to the best extent possible.
   2. Liaise with nations likely to be significantly affected to prepare for any volcanic activity, whether predicted or unpredicted;
   3. Share all applicable information relevant to volcanic activity with the World Assembly Disaster Bureau;
   4. Work with the WADB and all other relevant WA organizations to predict volcanic activity;
3. Recommends that member states:
   
   1. Educate their populations on safety procedures in the event of volcanic activity;
   2. Expand upon current infrastructure to better combat volcanic activity;
4. Instructs the WADB to:
   
   1. Locate where volcanic eruptions have occurred in the past;
   2. Estimate the frequency of these eruptions;
   3. Create scientific modeling of volcanic disaster scenarios to determine what sizes and types of eruptions could endanger the international population;
   4. Study and distribute information on volcanoes and their eruptions and hazards;
5. Acknowledges the right of member states to:
   
   1. Operate their own national volcanic activity detection system;
   2. Use discretion in what hazards they need to educate their population about the safety procedures of;

Title: Volcanic Activity Protocol
Category: International Security
Strength: Mild

The World Assembly,

Acknowledging that many nations are home to volcanoes, both dormant and active;

Observing that some nations do not have adequate precautionary measures against said volcanoes and volcanic hazards they may cause;

Understanding the consequences that eruptions and volcanic hazards have on the environment and the international population if such volcanic activity goes unnoticed or unprepared for, due to the possibility of volcanic eruptions or hazards escaping national borders;

Alarmed at the apparent lack of international co-operation needed to evacuate, shelter, or prevent the loss of life, environmental damage, and property damage in the case of multinational volcanic activity;

Hereby:

1. Defines:

a. A volcanic hazard as any environmental hazard caused by volcanic activity;
2. Directs member states to:

a. Possess the ability to deal with predicted, current, and the aftermath of volcanic activity everywhere inside their borders, to the best extent practical within reason;
b. Liaise with any other nation likely to be significantly affected to prepare for any volcanic activity, whether predicted or unpredicted;
c. Share all relevant information they possess with the World Assembly Disaster Bureau;
d. Work with the WADB and all other relevant WA organizations to predict volcanic activity;
3. Recommends member states to:

a. Educate their populations on the safety procedure in the event of volcanic activity;
b. Expand upon current infrastructure to better combat volcanic activity;
4. Instructs the WADB to:

a. Locate where volcanic eruptions have occurred in the past;
b. Estimate the frequency of these eruptions;
c. Create modeling of volcanic disaster scenarios to see what sizes of eruptions could endanger the international population;
d. Study and distribute information on volcanoes and their eruptions and hazards;
5. Acknowledges the right of member states to:

a. Operate their national volcanic activity detection system;

[/list]

In addition to the red addition above, your evacuation restrictions are too strict. It would be helpful if everyone could be evacuated, but it is irresponsible to order member nations to ensure this, because that means they may not spare any costs. We have enough ill-worded resolutions that order member nations to do something without giving a limit on the costs for that member nation, let's not add another.

[Minskiev]

-snip-

In addition to the red addition above, your evacuation restrictions are too strict. It would be helpful if everyone could be evacuated, but it is irresponsible to order member nations to ensure this because they may not spare any costs. We have enough ill-worded resolutions that order member nations to do something without giving a limit on the costs for that member nation, let's not add another.

How would you suggest I loosen them but retain the key parts of the evacuation I'm looking for?

[Araraukar]

-snip-

How would you suggest I loosen them but retain the key parts of the evacuation I'm looking for?

OOC: By not listening to anything Old Hope says. Seriously.

[Jedinsto]

I can verify that Old Hope is not one to listen to.

[Minskiev]

Thanks, I guess

[Minskiev]

Edited some parts, rearranged some words, and wrote some things.

[Minskiev]

Bumping once more.