Topic: Promoting Ecologically Sound Development Strategies
Country: Uganda
Delegate Name: Elizabeth Maher
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Uganda position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
The destruction of biodiversity is a pressing issue that is affecting many countries at this time. 1.2 billion people live in severe poverty, and depend on their environment for food and shelter to survive, which is being taken away from them with technologies that damage life on earth. Ecosystems are degraded and polluted because of this, and many lives are threatened because of deforestation, pollution, overpopulation, and climate change. Steps are being taken to prevent more loss with a set of targets to be reached, such as increasing awareness and the reduction of loss of ecosystems, called the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. However, many countries have declined participating, or have policies halting them from doing so. A resolution has to be decided upon, because of how many lives this problem is threatening.
Uganda is quite rich in biodiversity with its large number of species, distinct ecosystems, and assorted landscapes. However, this makes the nation a large target for the loss of ecosystems due to unsafe development and environmental issues. Deforestation is the biggest obstacle Uganda is facing right now in terms of environmental issues, with 1% biodiversity loss every year. They have decided on international agreements before, trying to reduce deforestation, deforestation, and climate change, as well as promoting biodiversity, marine life conservation, and ozone layer protection. Although legislation has been passed previously, the extreme loss of diversity in the nation’s land is still an issue that is risking the well-being for citizens, animals, and where they live. The country’s food and health security is being harmed because of deforestation. It is affecting citizens in poverty the most, who rely on the natural habitat to live. The Natural Environment Management Authority has cautioned Uganda, as they believe that if deforestation continues at its current rate, all forests will be gone by forty years or so. Because Uganda is facing so many environmental issues, a decision should be found that will benefit the ecosystems, while finding ways to promote non harmful development ideas.
Several resolutions are necessary to stop the decrease of biodiversity in the world, and working together is how that goal can be reached. Uganda plans to stress their environmental plans importance, and follow any guidelines proven to help reduce large problems such as deforestation and climate change. Many countries have not implemented many strategies to repel these issues because of policies in place, or the refusal to align with other nations to work towards an international goal. The United Nations Development Program should assist the countries who need it, but not penalize countries who still utilize destructive development. Hopefully by countries creating legislation and programs to prevent more loss of ecosystems, the world can start to be impacted positively, with more diversity.
