Draft - No Eutrophication

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

Hello fellow nations! I recently wrote a proposal for the GA but there were a few minor issues and one of the Gensecs, Sierra Lyricalia, adviced me to draft this proposal to try and polish it up. I think I have fixed most of the issues but I would like your help to improve this proposal and put it on another level. If you have any questions about it you can also ask down below. I will do my best to answer them. None the less to say, here is my proposal:

PS. One thing I really would like to get help with is if I can improve my vocabulary somewherein the text.

Thank you,
Skaraborg

The World Assembly,

Explaining that eutrophication is the process in which a water body is enriched with nutrients that can lead to algae blooms and lack of oxygen in the water body; that it is caused by Nitrogen and Phosphorus ; and that most of the emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen come from sewers and agriculture,

Noting that there needs to be more regulations in treatment plants and the farming industry to prevent the spreading of said elements into water bodies,

Concerned about the dangerous impact eutrophication can have on marine and freshwater life and biodiversity,

Concerned about the threats that eutrophication results in, such as:

1. eutrophication leading to algae bloom and lack of oxygen in water bodies,
   It threatenening biodiversity as it can kill several organisms and make species go extinct,
2. eutrophications further threatening sapient health as some algae produce toxins dangerous to persons and other organisms;

Understanding that to prevent eutrophication and to save biodiverse wildlife in seas and lakes the WA needs to regulate the spreading of the nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen into any water body which otherwise will cause eutrophication,

Hoping that forcing farmers and treatment plants to work against eutrophication will get an end to this problem,

This resolution hereby:

1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution “algae blooms” as when the amount of algae in a water body rapidly increases because of eutrophication,

2. Enacts that all treatment plants by international law:

1. must use chemical treatment on phosphorus to make it form lumps of phosphorus which can then easily be removable,
2. must introduce, if not already existent, biological treatment on nitrogen by using bacterias that live on nitrogen and phosphorus to take care of the nutrients before discharging the water,
3. must test the sewage water before discharging it to the water so it doesn’t contain high levels of nitrogen or phosphorus,
4. must regularly test pipes to prevent leakage,

3. Mandates that all farmers in member states adopt one or more of the following methods to reduce eutrophication:

1. use the same amount of fertilizers as the plants can absorb,
2. grow other plants that absorbs the leftovers from the fertilizers,
3. create ditches that lead unwanted ground water and fertilizers to treatment plants,

4. Obliges governments to take responsibility for making sure that farmers adopt at least one method, and making sure that, if farmers do not adopt one system, they will be fined an amount that will decided following the establishment of WAEL (see clause 6),

5. Encourages farmers to use organic fertilizers instead of instead of using fertilizers that are extracted from minerals such as phosphorus,

6. Establishes the World Anti-Eutrophication Fund (WAEL) to help complete clause 2, 3 and 4, which will:

1. ensure that the creation of biological and chemical treatments in treatment plants are made in member states and that treatment plants regulate their pipes regularly to prevent leakage of nutrients,
2. ensure that the government is checking that all farmers have adopted one method, such that, if the government shows uninterest in doing so they will be fined,
3. fund research and new methods to fight eutrophication,
4. fund money for treatment plants to create chemical and biological treatment,
5. ensure that farmers will be able to ask for financial aid to complete clause 4 if they don't have enough money to adopt one method,

7. Prohibits drinking water being taken from lakes currently undergoing algal blooms as the algae might be harmful to people.

[Honeydewistania]

Clause 1 doesn’t do anything so it should be in the preamble. And in the preamble you should explain what eutrophication is, cause I had no idea until I read the definitions.

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

Clause 1 doesn’t do anything so it should be in the preamble. And in the preamble you should explain what eutrophication is, cause I had no idea until I read the definitions.

I have changed it a little with the explanation of eutrophication coming first. I would like to know if I now should switch places between the definitions and the paragraph explaining the threats since it is no longer a clause.

[Ardiveds]

OOC: Firstly, from what I've seen, its best to arrange the proposal in this order: Preamble (justification) --> Definitions --> mandates/encouragments
Biodiversity, farmer and ferilizer seem to be using the standard dictionary definition, so I'm not sure you need to define them, especially the former two.

Explaining that eutrophication is a process when a water body is enriched with a lot of nutrients that can lead to algae blooms and lack of oxygen in the water body.

Eutrophication is caused by Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P). Most of the emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen come from sewers and agriculture

IMO, these can be merged into one definition which, along with the rest of clause 1 should be in the preamble like:

Explaining that eutrophication is a process when a water body is enriched with a lot of nutrients like Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P), that can lead to algae blooms and lack of oxygen in the water body. Most of the emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen come from sewers and agriculture.Hereby noting that there needs to be more regulations in treatment plants and the farming industry to prevent the spreading of said elements into water bodies.

This would also mean the justification part for clause 2 and 3 can be gotten rid off so clause 2 and 3 look like this:

2. enacts that all treatment plants by international law:
A. Must use chemical treatment on phosphorus to make it form lumps of phosphorus which can then easily be removable
B. Must biological treatment on Nitrogen by using bacterias that live on Nitrogen and phosphorus to take care of the nutrients before discharging the water
C. Must test the sewage water before discharging it to the water so it doesn’t contain high levels of Nitrogen or Phosphorus
D. Must regularly test pipes to prevent leakage.

3. enacts a law that forces farmers to adapt one or more of following methods to prevent this;
A. Use the same amount of fertilizers as the plants can absorb
B. grow other plants that absorbs the leftovers from the fertilizers
C. create ditches that lead unwanted ground water and fertilizers to treatment plants. This may however prove costly if living far away from a treatment plant and is only recommended for farmers living close by.

Clause 4 mentions cluase 7, should be 6 I think.
Also, pretty sure non-compliant nations are already fined iirc.

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

OOC: Firstly, from what I've seen, its best to arrange the proposal in this order: Preamble (justification) --> Definitions --> mandates/encouragments
Biodiversity, farmer and ferilizer seem to be using the standard dictionary definition, so I'm not sure you need to define them, especially the former two.

Explaining that eutrophication is a process when a water body is enriched with a lot of nutrients that can lead to algae blooms and lack of oxygen in the water body.

Eutrophication is caused by Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P). Most of the emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen come from sewers and agriculture

IMO, these can be merged into one definition which, along with the rest of clause 1 should be in the preamble like:

Explaining that eutrophication is a process when a water body is enriched with a lot of nutrients like Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P), that can lead to algae blooms and lack of oxygen in the water body. Most of the emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen come from sewers and agriculture.Hereby noting that there needs to be more regulations in treatment plants and the farming industry to prevent the spreading of said elements into water bodies.

This would also mean the justification part for clause 2 and 3 can be gotten rid off so clause 2 and 3 look like this:

2. enacts that all treatment plants by international law:
A. Must use chemical treatment on phosphorus to make it form lumps of phosphorus which can then easily be removable
B. Must biological treatment on Nitrogen by using bacterias that live on Nitrogen and phosphorus to take care of the nutrients before discharging the water
C. Must test the sewage water before discharging it to the water so it doesn’t contain high levels of Nitrogen or Phosphorus
D. Must regularly test pipes to prevent leakage.

3. enacts a law that forces farmers to adapt one or more of following methods to prevent this;
A. Use the same amount of fertilizers as the plants can absorb
B. grow other plants that absorbs the leftovers from the fertilizers
C. create ditches that lead unwanted ground water and fertilizers to treatment plants. This may however prove costly if living far away from a treatment plant and is only recommended for farmers living close by.

Clause 4 mentions cluase 7, should be 6 I think.
Also, pretty sure non-compliant nations are already fined iirc.

"Biodiversity, farmer and ferilizer seem to be using the standard dictionary definition, so I'm not sure you need to define them, especially the former two."
I'll remove the former two. Biodiversity might still be needed to define.

"IMO, these can be merged into one definition which, along with the rest of clause 1 should be in the preamble like:"
Reading through my proposal I agree, clause one doesn't do anything so I'll submerge it to my preamble.

"Clause 4 mentions cluase 7, should be 6 I think."
That was a mistake. I forgot to change that.

"Also, pretty sure non-compliant nations are already fined iirc"
IRL probably, in NS I haven't seen a proposal about this issue before nor have I received an issue about it so I do not think so.

I will think about removing the justifications for clause 2 and 3. I just want it to be very clear why these measurements are taken.

[Ardiveds]

IRL probably, in NS I haven't seen a proposal about this issue before nor have I received an issue about it so I do not think so.

OOC: Actually, from a completely OOC/gameplay perspective, there is no consequence to non-compliance with any resolution. If you implement fines in your resolution, those also won't have a gameside effect. GA is completely RP based so there is are, in fact, fines and sanctions for non-compliance in GA RP.

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

IRL probably, in NS I haven't seen a proposal about this issue before nor have I received an issue about it so I do not think so.

OOC: Actually, from a completely OOC/gameplay perspective, there is no consequence to non-compliance with any resolution. If you implement fines in your resolution, those also won't have a gameside effect. GA is completely RP based so there is are, in fact, fines and sanctions for non-compliance in GA RP.

That is true, only in rp the nations will be fined.

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

Is there anyone else who have any ideas about how to improve this resolution? I don't know but it feels like it is unfinished and not a proposal that people would vote for...

[Kenmoria]

(OOC: The proposal needs to start with just ‘The World Assembly’ rather than ‘Dear the World Assembly’, since the legislation will be written from the WA’s standpoint. Also, where you put ‘this proposal’, you should have ‘this resolution’ or ‘this legislation’, since it won’t be a proposal once it has passed.)

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

(OOC: The proposal needs to start with just ‘The World Assembly’ rather than ‘Dear the World Assembly’, since the legislation will be written from the WA’s standpoint. Also, where you put ‘this proposal’, you should have ‘this resolution’ or ‘this legislation’, since it won’t be a proposal once it has passed.)

Ok. Done it!

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

Is this proposal good enough to try and attempt again or should I continue working with it?

[Honeydewistania]

Is this proposal good enough to try and attempt again or should I continue working with it?

Leave it on the forum for a few weeks, some people haven't had time to properly review it yet.

[Kenmoria]

“I think I might have used up the ink in my red pen. Maybe I’ll have to buy a new one. Anyway, here’s a list of mostly grammar and formatting changes. You can take whatever you wish from it.”

No Eutrophication
Category: Environmental
Industry affected: All businesses - mild

The World Assembly,

Explaining that eutrophication is the process in which a water body is enriched with nutrients that can lead to algae blooms and lack of oxygen in the water body; that it is caused by Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P); and that most of the emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen come from sewers and agriculture,

Noting that there needs to be more regulations in treatment plants and the farming industry to prevent the spreading of said elements into water bodies,

Concerned about the dangerous impact eutrophication can have on marine and freshwater life and biodiversity,

Concerned about the threats that eutrophication results in, such as:

1. Eutrophication leading to algae bloom and lack of oxygen in water bodies,
2. It threatenening biodiversity as it can kill several organisms and make species go extinct,
3. Eutrophications further threatening sapient health as some algae produce toxins dangerous to persons and other organisms;

Understanding that to prevent eutrophication and to save biodiverse wildlife in seas and lakes the WA needs to regulate the spreading of the nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen into any water body which otherwise will cause eutrophication,

This resolution hereby:

1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution:

1. “algae blooms” as when the amount of algae in a water body rapidly increases because of eutrophication,
2. “Biodiversity” as the variety and variability of life,

2. Enacts that all treatment plants by international law:

1. must use chemical treatment on phosphorus to make it form lumps of phosphorus which can then easily be removable,
2. must introduce, if not already existent, biological treatment on nitrogen by using bacterias that live on nitrogen and phosphorus to take care of the nutrients before discharging the water,
3. must test the sewage water before discharging it to the water so it doesn’t contain high levels of nitrogen or phosphorus,
4. must regularly test pipes to prevent leakage,

3. Mandates that all farmers in member states adopt one or more of the following methods to reduce eutrophication:

1. use the same amount of fertilizers as the plants can absorb,
2. grow other plants that absorbs the leftovers from the fertilizers,
3. create ditches that lead unwanted ground water and fertilizers to treatment plants,

4. Obliges governments to take responsibility for making sure that farmers adopt at least one method, and making sure that, if farmers do not adopt one system, they will be fined an amount that will decided following the establishment of WAEL (see clause 5),

5. Encourages farmers to use organic fertilizers instead of instead of using fertilizers that are extracted from minerals such as phosphorus,

6. Establishes the World Anti-Eutrophication Fund (WAEL) to help complete clause 4, 5 and 6, which will:

1. make sure that the creation of biological and chemical treatments in treatment plants are made in member states and that treatment plants regulate their pipes regularly to prevent leakage of nutrients,
2. make sure that the government is checking that all farmers have adopted one method, such that, if the government shows uninterest in doing so they will be fined,
3. fund research and new methods to fight eutrophication,
4. fund money for treatment plants to create chemical and biological treatment,
5. ensure that farmers will be able to ask for financial aid to complete clause 4 if they don't have enough money to adopt one method,

7. Prohibits:

1. detergents containing phosphate to be sold commercial,
2. drinking water being taken from lakes currently undergoing algal blooms as the algae might be harmful to people.

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

Is this proposal good enough to try and attempt again or should I continue working with it?

Leave it on the forum for a few weeks, some people haven't had time to properly review it yet.

ok

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

“I think I might have used up the ink in my red pen. Maybe I’ll have to buy a new one. Anyway, here’s a list of mostly grammar and formatting changes. You can take whatever you wish from it.”

No Eutrophication
Category: Environmental
Industry affected: All businesses - mild

The World Assembly,

Explaining that eutrophication is the process in which a water body is enriched with nutrients that can lead to algae blooms and lack of oxygen in the water body; that it is caused by Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P); and that most of the emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen come from sewers and agriculture,

Noting that there needs to be more regulations in treatment plants and the farming industry to prevent the spreading of said elements into water bodies,

Concerned about the dangerous impact eutrophication can have on marine and freshwater life and biodiversity,

Concerned about the threats that eutrophication results in, such as:

1. Eutrophication leading to algae bloom and lack of oxygen in water bodies,
2. It threatenening biodiversity as it can kill several organisms and make species go extinct,
3. Eutrophications further threatening sapient health as some algae produce toxins dangerous to persons and other organisms;

Understanding that to prevent eutrophication and to save biodiverse wildlife in seas and lakes the WA needs to regulate the spreading of the nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen into any water body which otherwise will cause eutrophication,

This resolution hereby:

1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution:

1. “algae blooms” as when the amount of algae in a water body rapidly increases because of eutrophication,
2. “Biodiversity” as the variety and variability of life,

2. Enacts that all treatment plants by international law:

1. must use chemical treatment on phosphorus to make it form lumps of phosphorus which can then easily be removable,
2. must introduce, if not already existent, biological treatment on nitrogen by using bacterias that live on nitrogen and phosphorus to take care of the nutrients before discharging the water,
3. must test the sewage water before discharging it to the water so it doesn’t contain high levels of nitrogen or phosphorus,
4. must regularly test pipes to prevent leakage,

3. Mandates that all farmers in member states adopt one or more of the following methods to reduce eutrophication:

1. use the same amount of fertilizers as the plants can absorb,
2. grow other plants that absorbs the leftovers from the fertilizers,
3. create ditches that lead unwanted ground water and fertilizers to treatment plants,

4. Obliges governments to take responsibility for making sure that farmers adopt at least one method, and making sure that, if farmers do not adopt one system, they will be fined an amount that will decided following the establishment of WAEL (see clause 5),

5. Encourages farmers to use organic fertilizers instead of instead of using fertilizers that are extracted from minerals such as phosphorus,

6. Establishes the World Anti-Eutrophication Fund (WAEL) to help complete clause 4, 5 and 6, which will:

1. make sure that the creation of biological and chemical treatments in treatment plants are made in member states and that treatment plants regulate their pipes regularly to prevent leakage of nutrients,
2. make sure that the government is checking that all farmers have adopted one method, such that, if the government shows uninterest in doing so they will be fined,
3. fund research and new methods to fight eutrophication,
4. fund money for treatment plants to create chemical and biological treatment,
5. ensure that farmers will be able to ask for financial aid to complete clause 4 if they don't have enough money to adopt one method,

7. Prohibits:

1. detergents containing phosphate to be sold commercial,
2. drinking water being taken from lakes currently undergoing algal blooms as the algae might be harmful to people.

Haha. LOL. Ok there are a lot of things that need changing. Thank you for your help.

[Imperium Anglorum]

Banning the commercial sale of phosphate detergents seems an over-reach when one could just regulate how the resulting wastewater has to be disposed.

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

Banning the commercial sale of phosphate detergents seems an over-reach when one could just regulate how the resulting wastewater has to be disposed.

I beleive that minimising the amount of nutrients in wastewater is just as important as regulating the wastewater. There are already a lot of nutrients in our wastewaters and it is hard enough to effectively regulate those nutrients. We don't need phosphorus in detergents which is simply why it is getting banned. There are many different types of detergents that still work without phosphorus.

[Imperium Anglorum]

Seems like a non-problem. Regulate the wastewater.

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

Seems like a non-problem. Regulate the wastewater.

I suppose it could be for nation’s themselves to choose and it might be a bit unnecessary if the regulation of wastewater is working as it should.

[Imperium Anglorum]

Seems like a non-problem. Regulate the wastewater.

I suppose it could be for nation’s themselves to choose and it might be a bit unnecessary if the regulation of wastewater is working as it should.

This isn't a compelling argument. If everything were totally fine (ie rational inevitability) this resolution too would be 'a bit unnecessary'. Insofar as problems inhere to the world and correcting them is something we are doing here, we ought to pick the best corrective measures, which I what I'm telling you above.

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

I suppose it could be for nation’s themselves to choose and it might be a bit unnecessary if the regulation of wastewater is working as it should.

This isn't a compelling argument. If everything were totally fine (ie rational inevitability) this resolution too would be 'a bit unnecessary'. Insofar as problems inhere to the world and correcting them is something we are doing here, we ought to pick the best corrective measures, which I what I'm telling you above.

I understand you now and totally agree. I believe that the best corrective measures are those taken in the proposal except for the banning of detergents so I will remove that.

[Araraukar]

OOC: Is there a proposal somewhere? Leave current version visible in first post.

With IA on "mandate wastewater cleaning instead" and would add "learn more about thermoclines and haloclines" as a few very basic factual errors are present. Eutrofication does not cause lack of oxygen. Lack of oxygen causes lack of oxygen, and is usually caused by lack of vertical movement of water which in turn is often caused by thermoclines and haloclines, or in other words steep density gradients in the water column.

Also algal blooms are a natural phenomenon in the spring and summer and part of the life of planktonic algae. Preventing all of those would cause the collapse of aquatic food chains.

[Ardiveds]

OOC: Is there a proposal somewhere? Leave current version visible in first post.

With IA on "mandate wastewater cleaning instead" and would add "learn more about thermoclines and haloclines" as a few very basic factual errors are present. Eutrofication does not cause lack of oxygen. Lack of oxygen causes lack of oxygen, and is usually caused by lack of vertical movement of water which in turn is often caused by thermoclines and haloclines, or in other words steep density gradients in the water column.

Also algal blooms are a natural phenomenon in the spring and summer and part of the life of planktonic algae. Preventing all of those would cause the collapse of aquatic food chains.

OOC: Would like to point out that while natural algal blooms do occur, dumping of improperly treated sewage water and tons of fertilizers can cause artificial ones which do cause lack of oxygen since they occur in places where they naturally should not occur in such quantities and it never goes away cause more and more sewage is dumped in, which means less oxygen for the fish and lots of death and misery. It is a rather big issue in my country and one of our major rivers currently resembles an enormous sewage drain cause of this.
Edit: After a bit of googling (it's literally the first result): https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowled ... 102364466/

[The Democratic Kingdom Of Skaraborg]

OOC: Is there a proposal somewhere? Leave current version visible in first post.

With IA on "mandate wastewater cleaning instead" and would add "learn more about thermoclines and haloclines" as a few very basic factual errors are present. Eutrofication does not cause lack of oxygen. Lack of oxygen causes lack of oxygen, and is usually caused by lack of vertical movement of water which in turn is often caused by thermoclines and haloclines, or in other words steep density gradients in the water column.

Also algal blooms are a natural phenomenon in the spring and summer and part of the life of planktonic algae. Preventing all of those would cause the collapse of aquatic food chains.

OOC: Would like to point out that while natural algal blooms do occur, dumping of improperly treated sewage water and tons of fertilizers can cause artificial ones which do cause lack of oxygen since they occur in places where they naturally should not occur in such quantities and it never goes away cause more and more sewage is dumped in, which means less oxygen for the fish and lots of death and misery. It is a rather big issue in my country and one of our major rivers currently resembles an enormous sewage drain cause of this.
Edit: After a bit of googling (it's literally the first result): https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowled ... 102364466/

Yes, that's true.

OOC: Is there a proposal somewhere? Leave current version visible in first post.

With IA on "mandate wastewater cleaning instead" and would add "learn more about thermoclines and haloclines" as a few very basic factual errors are present. Eutrofication does not cause lack of oxygen. Lack of oxygen causes lack of oxygen, and is usually caused by lack of vertical movement of water which in turn is often caused by thermoclines and haloclines, or in other words steep density gradients in the water column.

Also algal blooms are a natural phenomenon in the spring and summer and part of the life of planktonic algae. Preventing all of those would cause the collapse of aquatic food chains.

OOC: It is in the spoiler. Should I remove the spoiler?

Water density can play a big part but it's also not entirely true. Eutrophication still plays a major part and can cause lack of oxygen in lakes with about the same water density everywhere. Unnatural Eutrophication is the start of a chain of events that leads to lack of oxygen. To easily explain it:
An increased amount of nutrients in an aquatic environment (sea, lake or watercourse) leads to a large proportion of plant algae that settles in a layer on the surface. When the plant algae then die, they sink to the bottom where they are broken down by microorganisms. This degradation is largely aerobic. Degradation occurs naturally and the process needs a lot of oxygen, but under the influence of eutrophication it becomes so large that it often leads to a lack of oxygen at the bottom layer. This causes the organisms that live on the bottom, and are in need of oxygen, to die out.

What we want to prevent is human leakage of nutrients that leads to algal blooms. There is a natural algal bloom, yes. Natural eutrophication is often a slower process and is important for marine and freshwater life, yes. But natural Eutrophication still works if we regulate our wastewater and discharges of nutrients into water bodies. I understand that the title "No Eutrophication" may sound like it wants to prevent all kinds of eutrophication but its purpose is to stop unatural eutrophicatons caused by humans. The leakages and farming causes unatural algal blooms and has nothing to do with the natural ones. To avoid confusion I might change the title.

[Bananaistan]

OOC: It is in the spoiler. Should I remove the spoiler?

OOC: Yes. Put it in a box instead:

Code: Select all

[box]Text....[/box]

And you get nice output:

Text....