[PASSED] Environmental Warfare Act

[West Angola]

Unfortunately that makes the title too long: The limit is 30 characters, including spaces.

"Thank you for pointing that out. We've mulled it over and will be using "Environmental Warfare Act" unless something better comes to mind."

[Araraukar]

That's not at all what I was referring to.

OOC: Not all the posts have been in IC, though.

"Thank you for pointing that out. We've mulled it over and will be using "Environmental Warfare Act" unless something better comes to mind."

That probably works better than the ecoterrorism one, but then changes the feel of the text, making me think this should be in IS instead. Especially with language like "to guard against such acts within their own borders".

[Excidium Planetis]

That's not at all what I was referring to.

OOC: Not all the posts have been in IC, though.

All of my "roleplay's militant side" has, though, and it is what you said you were ignoring.

And at least in this thread, the only OOC I made was real life examples of IC arguments (Bat bombs to provide real life example of animals as strategic weapons, horses as invasive species). I can't recall other times in other threads recently where I OOCly argued from a heavily jingoistic perspective. I hope I didn't, because I'm not jingoistic in real life.

[West Angola]

That probably works better than the ecoterrorism one, but then changes the feel of the text, making me think this should be in IS instead. Especially with language like "to guard against such acts within their own borders".

(OOC: I agree with your reasoning, but I'm wary about flipping back since Mal said it was global disarmament rather than IS.)

[Excidium Planetis]

That probably works better than the ecoterrorism one, but then changes the feel of the text, making me think this should be in IS instead. Especially with language like "to guard against such acts within their own borders".

(OOC: I agree with your reasoning, but I'm wary about flipping back since Mal said it was global disarmament rather than IS.)

It's definitely GD rather than IS. I don't see anyway that this could reasonably increase military expenditures globally, when it severely restricts the weapons and tactics nations may use.

[Falcania]

"Wait, does acid-spewing cavalry count as a chemical weapon? That's interesting if they do... what if you had a sapient species of soldier who possessed that ability? Would normal citizens be considered chemical weapons? Schultz! Bring me a copy of the Chemical Weapons Accord!"

The delegation for Falcania would like to note that it has been observed on several historical occasions that when two populations from vastly different regions meet, they bring their microbes with them. Entire populations have been ravaged by foreign diseases which the native populations have not built an immunity for. Should a soldier setting foot in a new theatre where the local peoples and wildlife are unable to resist the contagious microbes living in his body, be considered a biological weapon?

[West Angola]

The delegation for Falcania would like to note that it has been observed on several historical occasions that when two populations from vastly different regions meet, they bring their microbes with them. Entire populations have been ravaged by foreign diseases which the native populations have not built an immunity for. Should a soldier setting foot in a new theatre where the local peoples and wildlife are unable to resist the contagious microbes living in his body, be considered a biological weapon?

"As far as I am aware, Ambassador, such a situation fails the intent requirement of GAR #242. Unless the soldier is taking the action intending to infect those he makes contact with, he is not engaging in biological warfare."

[West Angola]

(OOC: I'm going to start looking at submitting this, so I'd welcome any more feedback.)

[Bears Armed]

(OOC: I'm going to start looking at submitting this, so I'd welcome any more feedback.)

(OOC: I'll take a closer look at the current draft later today, and post my comments tomorrow.)

[Separatist Peoples]

The delegation for Falcania would like to note that it has been observed on several historical occasions that when two populations from vastly different regions meet, they bring their microbes with them. Entire populations have been ravaged by foreign diseases which the native populations have not built an immunity for. Should a soldier setting foot in a new theatre where the local peoples and wildlife are unable to resist the contagious microbes living in his body, be considered a biological weapon?

"As far as I am aware, Ambassador, such a situation fails the intent requirement of GAR #242. Unless the soldier is taking the action intending to infect those he makes contact with, he is not engaging in biological warfare."

"Throw the word "intentional" into your definitions and make a clause that deals with accidental release, and you're golden."

[Hannasea]

"This is an interesting proposal and we don't have a strong objection to it. But why does it only apply to such a limited class of "environmental warfare"?"

Daniella Russel, MA PhD
Representing the office of:
Ambassador Brittany Hepburn
Semi-Permanent Representative to the World Assembly

[Bears Armed]

(OOC: I'll take a closer look at the current draft later today, and post my comments tomorrow.)

OOC: I've now read it. No objections or suggested changes.

[Wansul]

Strength has always been a tough one for me, first off, so I'm not certain on that. Second, I'm unsure whether the second part of the Committee's expanded mandate is too much of a distraction from the international security intent. I included it because it's similar to the WACB's current authority under GAR #242.

I took a look through the WA's terrorism resolutions, and I don't believe it runs afoul of GAR #25 because that act defines terrorism explicitly as the use of violence, whereas this looks at the introduction of an invasive species.

Environmental Warfare Act
Category: Global Disarmament
Strength: Mild

---

The General Assembly,

DISMAYED at the damage caused to ecosystems by the introduction of invasive species,

RECOGNIZING the suffering of nations whose ecosystems are affected by these species,

FURTHER RECOGNIZING the major national security threat such species could represent,

Hereby,

1. DEFINES, for purposes of this resolution:

1. "Invasive Species" as a non-native, non-sapient species whose behavior results in extreme harm to ecosystems into which it is introduced,
2. "Environmental Warfare" as the intentional introduction of an invasive species into a foreign ecosystem for purposes of damaging it,

2. PROHIBITS member nations from carrying out acts of environmental warfare against other nations,

3. MANDATES member nations take reasonable action to prevent those in their nation from carrying out acts of environmental warfare abroad, and to guard against such acts within their own borders,

4. EMPOWERS the World Assembly Commission on Biological Agents to:

1. Ensure nations remain up-to-date on the latest information regarding identification and prevention of invasive species, and
   
2. Aid civilian populations who have been subjected to a environmental warfare attack in mitigating and reversing the effects of such.

7/1/16 (1): Changed strength to "Mild."
7/1/16 (2): Implemented Araraukar's formatting changes.
7/1/16 (3): Changed "bioterrorism" to "ecoterrorism."
7/3/16 (4): Changed category to "Global Disarmament."
7/3/16 (5): Re-wrote definition of "invasive species."
7/3/16 (6): Added "non-sentient" to the definition of "species."
7/4/16 (7): Changed "non-sentient" to "non-sapient."
7/17/16 (8): Changed "attacked" to "affected" in the second clause; removed "especially to nations with heavily agricultural economies," in the third clause; removed "natural" from "natural behavior" in the definition of invasive species; re-wrote the first new duty of the Biological Agents' Commission; added second draft.
7/18/16 (9): Combined clauses 3 and 4 (raising the domestic security action to a mandate)
7/22/16 (10): Changed "ecoterrorism" to "environmental warfare"; changed "uncontrollable harm" to "extreme harm" in the definition of invasive species; changed title to "Prevention of Environmental Warfare"; added third draft.
7/23/16 (11): Changed title to "Environmental Warfare Act".

Prevention of Ecoterrorism Act
Category: Global Disarmament
Strength: Mild

---

The General Assembly,

DISMAYED at the damage caused to ecosystems by the introduction of invasive species,

RECOGNIZING the suffering of nations whose ecosystems are affected by these species,

FURTHER RECOGNIZING the major national security threat such species could represent,

Hereby,

1. DEFINES, for purposes of this resolution:

1. "Invasive Species" as a non-native, non-sapient species whose behavior results in uncontrollable harm to ecosystems into which it is introduced,
2. "Ecoterrorism" as the intentional introduction of an invasive species into a foreign ecosystem for purposes of damaging it,

2. PROHIBITS member nations from carrying out acts of ecoterrorism against other nations,

3. MANDATES member nations take reasonable action to prevent those in their nation from carrying out acts of ecoterrorism abroad, and to guard against such acts within their own borders,

4. EMPOWERS the World Assembly Commission on Biological Agents to:

1. Ensure nations remain up-to-date on the latest information regarding identification and prevention of invasive species, and
   
2. Aid civilian populations who have been subjected to a ecoterror attack in mitigating and reversing the effects of such.

Prevention of Ecoterrorism Act
Category: Global Disarmament
Strength: Mild

---

The General Assembly,

DISMAYED at the damage caused to ecosystems by the introduction of invasive species,

RECOGNIZING the suffering of nations whose ecosystems are attacked by these species,

FURTHER RECOGNIZING the major national security threat such species could represent, especially to nations with heavily agricultural economies,

Hereby,

1. DEFINES, for purposes of this resolution:

1. "Invasive Species" as a non-native, non-sapient species whose natural behavior results in uncontrollable harm to ecosystems into which it is introduced,
2. "Ecoterrorism" as the intentional introduction of an invasive species into a foreign ecosystem for purposes of damaging it,

2. PROHIBITS member nations from carrying out acts of ecoterrorism against other nations,

3. MANDATES member nations do everything in their power to prevent individuals or groups operating in their nation from carrying out acts of ecoterrorism abroad,

4. URGES member nations to take responsible steps to prevent ecoterrorism within their borders, and

5. EMPOWERS the World Assembly Commission on Biological Agents to:

1. Assist nations in setting up viable safeguards against ecoterrorism, and
   
2. Aid civilian populations who have been subjected to a ecoterror attack in mitigating and reversing the effects of such.

I would vote for this.

[Christian Democrats]

I think this proposal is excellent, I've approved it, and I look forward to voting for it.

It bucks the trend of verbosity in GA proposals, and its structure and vocabulary are very straightforward.

[Imperium Anglorum]

OOC: Well, the obvious repeal hook is its lack of exception in case a member nation is attacked by a non-member nation and is forced onto the defensive against a weapon of great magnitude restricted by this proposal. If anyone wants to pursue a repeal based on that — go ahead.

[Araraukar]

OOC: Well, the obvious repeal hook is its lack of exception in case a member nation is attacked by a non-member nation and is forced onto the defensive against a weapon of great magnitude restricted by this proposal. If anyone wants to pursue a repeal based on that — go ahead.

OOC: I continue being amused by the paranoia against non-WA nations that many WA nations use as an exuse for... well, whatever they want to, but usually military stuff. This isn't against you specifically, IA, or any other player around here, but just my continued general amusement on this issue.

Good luck with the vote. I'll get you a chlorophyllic post on PPU when the time comes.

[Herby]

Ehhhhhh Global Disarmament? Eh. I s'pose, if you're takin' a weapon out of some mad evil sludge monster's arsenal, it can be Global Disarmament. I guess. Maybe. I think?

[Araraukar]

OOC: Damnit, I just looked at the dates of when this goes to vote and I'll probably have left for my vacation by that time, so I'll likely miss the vote.

[Kohr]

"Kohr would like to reiterate its commitment to environmental stability not just domestically, but abroad. Any logical General Assembly Proposal concerning the environment- such as this one- shall have our full support."

[The Eternal Kawaii]

In the Name of the Eternal Kawaii, may the Cute One be praised

The environment and its many parts, both animal and vegetable, is almost by definition a noncombatant in matters of war. Deliberately upsetting the ecological balance of a nation as an act of war, therefore, is equivalent to targeting noncombatants, a practice this Assembly has roundly condemned. We therefore rise in support of this proposal.

[The Atlae Isles]

This proposal has the Atlae Isles' full support.

Just for reference:

Native Species: A species within its indigenous habitat.
Introduced Species: A species that has been introduced by human activity, accidentally or intentionally. (But not necessarily invasive or causing harm to the environment.)
Invasive Species: A species that is thriving outside its indigenous habitat and doing harm to the native ecosystem. (All Invasive Species are Introduced, but not all Introduced Species are Invasive.)

There might be a bit of confusion there, but the law will work. Just keep that in mind.

[Sciongrad]

"Sciongrad is pleased to vote aye."

Natalia moves closer - probably uncomfortably so - to the ambassador from West Angola, gently nudges them, and whispers: "welcome to the vast, ultra-super-duper radical left wing pacifist hippy conspiracy. We meet beneath the floorboards of Parsons' office every Thursday night."

[Tretrid]

The Second Republic of Tretrid has voted for this act, and will like to know why some nations oppose it. I believe that we can make further legislation on the matter for the gray areas.

[The Wreckage Brother]

Cancer

[Tretrid]

Cancer

Excuse me? What do you mean?