We recognize that "All creation is the Lord's and we are responsible for the
ways in which we use and abuse it." (1980 Statement of Social
Principles)
[Fourth paragraph] But this ideal is not yet expressed in international
treaty. So the race is one to see who will be able to exploit and control the
resources of the seas. The question facing the peoples of the world is whether
global cooperation or global anarchy will prevail.
The best hope for global cooperation is through the United
Nations, where representatives of the nations of the world are at work
in the conference on developed the Law of the Sea.
The Law of the Sea conference worked hopes to
produce a fair...
The United Nations, Law of the Sea Treaty is concerned
with protecting this "common heritage" of humankind
humanity. is negotiating international agreements to
It would:
--guarantee unimpeded access to over 100 straits, facilitating commercial transportation;...
--prevent conflicts or "cod wars" like the one between Iceland and
England over fishing waters;
We also affirm our support for the evolution of effective "commons" law, such
as the treaties now under development for the
Antarctic, climate, biodiversity, and outer space, which
supports our obligations of stewardship, justice, and peace.
Therefore, we urge all United Methodists to become informed about all
of the aspects of "Law of the Sea," one of the most critical and least
understood issues of our day.
Further, we urge all United Methodists to become informed about the Law of
the Sea, and to call upon their governments to commit themselves to
the development of a just and equitable implementation of
the Law of the Sea Treaty, treaty through the United Nations
Conference on Law of the Sea and to ratification of the treaty by our
respective governments.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21045-CS-R79-U
1996 United Methodist General Conference