Historical Security Council
Waterway Protection
Water comprises almost two-thirds of Earth’s surface. Billions of organisms live within this water, some of which humans rely on for food, the removal of excess CO2, and the production of oxygen. Yet careless mistakes and improper engineering have put these important creatures, not to mention the water supplies that people may need in the future, in danger. If waterways are to be used for transport, fishing, and other necessities, waterway protection laws must be enacted.
On June 3rd, 1979, an exploratory oil well, called Ixtoc 1, blew out, spilling about 140 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This is the largest known oil spill to occur in history. Soon after, on July 19th in Tobago the Atlantic Empress and the Aegean Captain collided, spilling out 46 more gallons of this toxic oil, and more was released as the ships were towed away. There were no adequate methods of removing this oil, and, as a result, organisms suffered, leading to innumerable deaths and water unfit for fishing. Not only do these oil spills pose a threat to ecology, but also to the fishermen attempting to thrive in the economy.
The two events listed above were only two of several oil spills in the year 1979. In fact, in 1979, 650 thousand tons of oil were spilled into the ocean, more than any other year by at least 250 thousand. As oil empires come to dominate the economy, and our reliance on this dangerous substance increases, the rate of oil spills will augment proportionately. Thus, countries that depend on their waterways for transport, shipping, and overall quality of life, must together develop legislation that puts more precautions in place for the shipping and excavation of oil. Although this might have some economic restrictions, it is very necessary.
Another point to consider regarding waterway protection is the general pollution of all bodies of water, including streams, lakes, and oceans. Water cannot be spared, especially in the Middle East. Draughts can occur at anytime, and as companies continue to dump wastes into useful waters, the amount of water readily available for consumption and bathing decreases dramatically. Without proper water purification, this pollution can lead to global sickness.