TCMUN
UNEA
United Nations Environment Assembly
In the first decades after the formation of the United Nations in 1945, concern for the environment was neither a serious issue nor part of the global agenda. It was not until the 1960s that oil spills and maritime pollution spurred debate about protecting the environment; subsequent research proved that the environment was deteriorating at an alarming rate. Around that time, the United Nations recognized the environment as another global issue that needed to be addressed. In 1972, at the UN Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Convention), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) became the United Nation’s environmental conscience. As environmental issues have become more and more important in multilateral discussions, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) was created in 2012 as a biannual forum for world leaders to discuss these issues in person.
Chairs
Topic 1:
The Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change on the Global South
The current state of climate change has been called a “Code Red for Humanity.” Greenhouse gas emissions have risen by 46 percent, average surface temperatures have increased by 0.18 degrees Celsius per decade, and natural disasters are more frequent than ever. Although the Global South contributes a mere fraction of global emissions, it is experiencing the greatest harm due to climate change. Widespread food insecurity, displacement, power outages, and loss of life are just a few of the devastating socio-economic impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, infrastructure in the Global South is often outdated or underdeveloped, so these countries are already more vulnerable to disasters. Developed states call for common, shared responsibility for the effects of climate change. However, the Global South has demanded more equitable responsibility for the climate crisis. The UNEA is the leading international forum for climate discussions. Therefore, this is the best committee to resolve this pressing global issue. Delegates will have to tackle the disproportionate effects of climate change on different countries and find a way to navigate a fair and just path toward the future.
Topic 2:
The Environmental Impact of the Pharmaceutical Industry
Environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants (EPPPs) are a growing threat. Pharmaceutical companies create better medicines that last longer every day, making healthcare more accessible. However, the chemicals used in medicines and their production persist on the shelf and in the environment. Over time, EPPPs accumulate in the environment, presenting a grave threat to ecosystems. A chemical that is medicine for humans may be poisonous to other animals. Even if EPPPs do not harm wildlife, they may create antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, parasites, and fungi. This would make our existing medicine ineffective. New reports show that existing regulations are ineffective when dealing with EPPPs. Illegal dumping and a lack of monitoring for waste products have led this problem to grow rapidly. Policymakers have yet to take comprehensive action to address the environmental impact of the modern pharmaceutical industry. This issue is even more pressing considering the COVID-19 pandemic. The world is still in dire need of vaccines, and slowing production might create a separate health crisis. The delegates in the UNEA must balance many different concerns as they work to create a better, healthier future.