Citizens for Global Solutions

Act Now In Support of the Law of the Sea

Earlier this year during environmental and territorial talks between 60 countries and international organizations, Secretary of State Clinton remarked that she and President Obama are "committed" to ratifying the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). While this is good to hear... we've heard it before! President Bush and many other leaders before him have supported the Law of the Sea Convention, but in the 27 years since its inception, it has yet to become ratified by Congress.

UNCLOS takes huge measures to ensure the protection of marine animals and resources in our oceans, which cover over 70% of the earth. While the United States already has laws in place to prevent ocean pollution and protect wildlife, unless we ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty, we do not have a seat on the International Seabed Authority, which regulates deep sea mining. Thus, it is in our economical best interest as well to ratify the Treaty, especially since ratification would grant the U.S. 3.65 million square miles in ocean territory.

Ratification of UNCLOS will also help protect our military's ability to freely navigate the oceans. Because we have not ratified the Law of the Sea Treaty, we have to rely on customary laws, which can change at any time that a State chooses and endanger our security. Ratification will establish a legally-binding framework by which to conduct our military operations at sea.

Let us finally ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty and gain all of the benefits of membership. Fill out the form below to send an email to your elected official in 30 seconds!

February 09, 2010

Subject:
Please Ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty

Dear Senator,

As a constituent concerned about the environment, U.S. economy, and national security, I urge you to support the Law of the Sea Convention. Ratification of this treaty would benefit our country on all three counts and is supported by leaders of both parties, including President Obama and former President Bush, as well as the 156 countries that have already joined the treaty. While the U.S. voluntarily complies with the entire Convention, ratification would entitle us to several benefits including: 1. a permanent position on the International Seabed Authority's Executive Council, which regulates deep sea mining and its corresponding revenue and makes all decisions by consensus 2. 3.65 million square miles of ocean territory awarded to the United States 3. the opportunity to claim rights to mining and valuable resource development in the Arctic seabed 4. incorporation and international recognition of legal framework to protect our marine operations, including both military and commercial 5. the opportunity to promote higher environmental standards in countries around the world by working within the Convention to set new regulations like those already adopted by the U.S. The concerns former President Reagan had regarding Part XI of the Law of the Sea Convention have been completely addressed and Part XI has since been modified to suit U.S. interests. It is time for the Senate to act in the best interests of the United States' economy, national security, and the world's environment, and ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty. Thank you,
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