International environmental law

The United Nations organization and some other international organizations have played a great role in __________ of international environmental law. In 1972 the Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment was adopted.

    The Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment recognizes a “fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being.” Principle 21 of the Declaration states that although states have the right ___________, they must ensure that "activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other states or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction". Principle 22 affirms that states should cooperate in developing international law regarding liability and compensation for victims of pollution and other environmental damage produced outside boundaries.

    The Stockholm Declaration contains provisions on the preservation of wildlife. Principle 4 of the Declaration provides that the plants and animals of the earth are a world heritage, and that man has a special responsibility __________ nature. Nature conservation should receive a place of importance in economic planning of the states.

    The World Charter for Nature states that all life forms need protection and good conditions for survival. In Principle 3 it stresses that all areas of the earth are subject to conservation, and that special protection should be provided for unique areas.

In 1959 the Antarctic Treaty was adopted. It was the first international agreement governing the use of Antarctica. Its task was to assure scientific research in Antarctica and to suspend the right of states to have “sectors” of the continent.

    In 1984 the International Tropical Timber Agreement was _________. This agreement is the only international agreement regulating tropical timber. It includes the states which take part in international trade in tropical timber.

    During the next years many other agreements and conventions on the earth, air, sea and other pollution have been developed.

Answer the following questions:

1. What organizations developed the general principles of international environmental law?

2. When was the Stockholm Declaration adopted?

3. What fundamental right did the Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment recognize?

4. Do states have the right to exploit their own resources?

5. Can the states activities cause damage to the environment of other states?

6. Must states cooperate in developing international law about liability and compensation for victims of pollution?

7. Does the Stockholm Declaration contain provisions on the preservation of wildlife?

8. Are plants and animals of the earth a world heritage?

9. Does man have a special responsibility to protect nature?

10. Must states think about nature protection in their economic planning?

11. When was the Antarctic Treaty adopted?

12. What did the Antarctic Treaty say about?

13. When was the International Tropical Timber Agreement adopted?

14. What does this agreement regulate?

15. Are there any other agreements and conventions on the earth, air, sea and other objects of pollution?

Task 12. Translate the following sentences into English using the words and word combinations from the text above:

    Организация Объединенных Наций; разработать общие принципы; международное экологическое право; право на свободу, равенство и достойные условия жизни; достойная и процветающая жизнь; использовать свои ресурсы; деятельность в рамках их юрисдикции и контроля; наносить ущерб окружающей среде других государств; районы за пределами действия национальной юрисдикции; сотрудничество в разработке международного законодательства;  в отношении ответственности и компенсации жертвам за загрязнение и другие виды ущерба; сохранение дикой природы; мировое наследие; человек имеет особую ответственность защищать природу; экономическое планирование; формы жизни; нуждаться в защите и хороших условиях для выживания; уникальные районы; быть принятым; научные исследования; приостановить права государств; тропические леса; соглашение включает в себя государства; международная торговля; в последующие годы; загрязнение земли; загрязнение воздуха; загрязнение воды.

Task 13. Complete the sentences using the word combinations from the second column:

1) International organizations	a. a life of dignity and well-being.
2) In 1972 the Stockholm Declaration	b. damage to the environment of other states.
3) The states activities mustn’t cause	c. fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life in an environment.
4) States must cooperate in developing international law about	d. developed general principles of international environmental law.
5) The Declaration contains provisions	e. was adopted.
6) The declaration recognizes	f. on the preservation of wildlife.
7) A quality that permits	g. liability and compensation for victims of pollution and other environmental damage behind the limits of national jurisdiction.
8) Declaration states that the plants and animals of the earth	h. to protect nature.
9) man has a special responsibility	i. Are a world heritage.
10) All life forms	j. about the use of Antarctica.
11) It was the first international agreement	k. need protection and good conditions for survival.
12) This agreement is the first international agreement	l. on the earth, air, sea and other pollution were developed.
13) During the next years many other agreements and conventions	m. regulating tropical timber.

 

Task 14. Use the verbs related to legal matters given in the box to complete the sentences:

to develop (general principles); to recognize (rights); to adopt (a declaration, a treaty) x 3; to cause (damage); to protect (nature) x 2; to suspend (the right, death penalty); to develop (agreements)

1. The UN _______ general principles of international environmental law.

2. In 1972 the Stockholm Declaration ________.

3. The Declaration _______ fundamental rights.

4. Their activities ______ damage to the environment of other states.

5. Nature must _______ by man.

6. All areas of the earth must be ________, especially unique areas.

7. In 1959 the Antarctic Treaty ________.

8. It goal was to assure continued scientific research in Antarctica and _______ the right of states to claim "sectors" of the continent.

9. In 1984 the International Tropical Timber Agreement ________.

10. Many other agreements ________ in the next few years.

 

Debate: GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Read the information below to discuss it with your fellow students. Give your opinion on the problem.

 

The modern world is characterized by many global environmental problems. People are more worried about the environment (the air, water and land around us) as a result of the harmful and dangerous effects of human activity. Some of these activities cause pollution (dirty air, land and water) and some destroy the environment damaging it so badly that soon parts will not exist.

Here are some of the problems:

- ozone depletion and global warming;

- hazardous waste, radioactive pollution and environmental emergencies;

- wildlife preservation;

- military activities and the environment;

- marine environment pollution;

- desertification;

- deforestation;

- protection of the Antarctica environment;

- international trade and environment;

- transboundary pollution.

    There are different conventions and agreements adopted to solve many of these global environmental problems.

Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution 1979. Its purpose was to "limit, and as far as possible, gradually reduce and prevent air pollution including long-range transboundary air pollution."

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer 1985. The Convention seeks to stop activities modifying and damaging the ozone layer, to protect the earth from harmful radiation. Another serious environmental problem is the climate change as a result of the greenhouse effect.

Vienna Convention on Civil liability for Nuclear Damage 1963. This Convention gives jurisdiction to the courts of the state in whose territory the damage occurred. The operator of a nuclear installation is absolutely liable for nuclear damage. A victim of nuclear damage must present a claim within ten years from the date of the accident or the claim is barred by the Convention. Few states are parties to the Convention, and none of the parties are major nuclear powers.

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposals. Its aim is to limit and regulate international traffic in hazardous waste products. The general obligations are:

- prohibiting export of hazardous waste without prior approval of the importing country;

- the importing country must have adequate facilities to dispose of the waste;

- labeling and packaging shipments of waste in accordance with generally accepted international rules and standards;

- cooperation in training specialists, exchange of information and technologies.

The Law of the Sea Convention. According to this Convention states have the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment. States have the sovereign right to exploit their natural resources in accordance with their duty to protect and preserve the marine environment. States must take measures to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment.

Peoples of the Earth hope that all these measures will help save our planet and all the living beings on it.

Answer the following questions:

1. Is the modern world characterized by many global environmental problems?

2. Why are people worried about the environment?

3. What is environment?

4. What is pollution?

5. What causes pollution?

6. How do harmful human activities destroy the environment?

7. Give examples of  environmental problems.

8. What did people do about many of such global environmental problems?

9. What was the purpose of the Convention of Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution 1979?

10. What was the aim of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer 1985?

11. Why does the climate change?

12. What did the Vienna Convention on Civil liability for Nuclear Damage 1963 give?

13. What is the aim of the Basel Convention?

14. What are the general obligations under the Basel Convention?

15. What are the obligations and rights of the states under the law of the Sea Convention?

 

Task 15. Translate the following words and word combinations into English:

    cовременный мир; характеризуется; глобальные проблемы окружающей среды; вредные и опасные последствия деятельности людей; вызывать загрязнение; разрушающие окружающую среду; глобальное потепление; истощение озонового слоя; радиоактивное загрязнение; опасные отходы; чрезвычайно опасное состояние; сохранение дикой природы; военная деятельность и окружающая среда; загрязнение морской среды; опустынивание; исчезновение лесов; защита экологии Антарктики; международная торговля и окружающая среда; трансграничное загрязнение; глобальные экологические проблемы; ограничить и предотвратить загрязнение воздуха; прекратить деятельность, изменяющую и вредящую озоновому слою; губительная радиация; изменение климата; парниковый эффект; гражданская ответственность; ядерная установка; абсолютно ответственен; представить жалобу; в течение десяти лет с момента происшествия; жалоба отклоняется Конвенцией; стороны Конвенции; основные ядерные державы; oбщие обязательства; запрещение экспорта опасных отходов; без предварительного одобрения; страны-импортеры; соответствующие условия для утилизации отходов; минимизация производства опасных отходов; маркировка и упаковка отходов в соответствии с международными правилами и стандартами; сотрудничество; подготовка специалистов; обмен информацией; суверенное право; принимать меры; предотвратить, сократить и контролировать загрязнение морей; живые существа.

 

Task 16. Translate the following sentences into English using the words and word combinations which do with legal matters.

the United Nations Charter to express resolution to take measures to outline various ways disputable question to restore peace in troubled areas primary responsibility keeping peace and security by peaceful means to undertake an investigation to act as a go-between to set forth principles for a peaceful settlement

threatening the world peace is brought before the Security Council opposing parties military observer missions to use negotiations to use persuasion to use observation to run patrols an object of acquisition through the use of force to spell out a wide program to preserve peace and security

 

1. В Уставе Организации Объединенных Наций народы мира выражают свою твердую решимость избавить грядущие поколения от бедствий войны.

2. ООН приняла много мер, направленных на урегулирование международных конфликтов и восстановление мира в районах конфликтов.

3. В докладе указываются различные пути урегулирования спорного вопроса.

4. Главная ответственность за поддержание международного мира и безопасности возложена на Совет Безопасности.

5. Если спор, угрожающий миру, становится предметом рассмотрения Совета Безопасности, то Совет прежде всего рекомендует сторонам достичь соглашения мирным путем.

6. Совет Безопасности может сам предпринять расследование, выступить в качестве посредника или установить принципы мирного урегулирования.

7. Совет Безопасности может предпринимать такие меры как использование Вооруженных сил по поддержанию мира и миссий военных наблюдателей.

8. В случае необходимости силы по поддержанию мира могут вести переговоры, убеждать стороны, вести наблюдения за обстановкой и проводить расследования.

9.Силы по поддержанию мира могут осуществлять патрулирование или размещаются между враждующими сторонами.

10. Никакая территория не может стать объектом захвата с использованием силы.

11. Декларация выдвигает широкомасштабную программу мирного урегулирования.

12. В Декларации излагается программа действий по поддержанию мира и безопасности.

 

Useful Words and Expressions for Speech Practice
the Law of the Sea – морское право customary international law – обычное международное право territorial sea – территориальные воды (территориальное море) to reach an agreement – прийти к соглашению UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (the LOS Convention) - Конвенция ООН по морскому праву nautical mile – морская миля baseline – исходная линия (отправная точка измерения прибрежных зон прибрежного государства; линия наибольшего отлива вдоль берега) to extend – распространяться coastal state – прибрежное государство		land territory – сухопутная территория internal waters – внутренние воды adjacent belt of sea – примыкающий морской пояс air space – воздушное пространство sea-bed – морское дно subsoil – недра subject to smth – с наблюдением чего-то exclusive economic zone – исключительная экономическая зона to explore – исследовать to exploit – использовать, разработать to conserve –сохранять high sea – открытое море force majeure –«форс-мажор» непреодолимая сила distress - бедствие

 

Task 17. Complete the text below with the words and word combinations from the box. Some of them can be found in the text more than once.

nautical miles, exclusive economic zone, to explore, to exploit, to conserve, to manage, distress; territorial sea x 3

THE LAW OF THE SEA

For many years under the so-called “cannon-shot” rule, a three mile territorial sea was recognized as customary international law. After World War II many states wanted bigger territorial sea. It was difficult to reach an agreement on how big territorial sea must be. According to UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (the LOS Convention), every state has the right to have its ___________ up to 12 __________ from the baseline. The sovereignty of a coastal state extends not only to its land territory and internal waters but to adjacent belt of sea, named territorial sea.

This sovereignty extends to the air space over the __________ and to its bed and subsoil. The sovereignty over the ___________ is exercised subject to the LOS Convention and to other rules of international law.

The 200-mile exclusive economic zone was adopted at the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea in 1982. The LOS Convention established exclusive rights for coastal states to ________, _______, _______, and ________ all living and nonliving resources within the zone. The waters of the zone are called high sea. All states are free to operate ships and aircraft within an ___________. They can also lay submarine cables and pipelines within a zone.

The major coastal states agreed that the exclusive economic zone continues to be part of the high seas but subject to the special rights of exploitation of coastal states. But there are still conflicts between the states.

      From the 17^th century it was recognized that all states, coastal and landlocked, may exercise certain freedoms of the seas. Under the 1958 Convention and the LOS Convention these freedoms are:

1) freedom of navigation;

2) freedom of overflight;

3) freedom of fishing;

4) freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines;

5) freedom to construct artificial islands, installations and structures;

6) freedom of scientific research.

These freedoms mustn’t be against the interests of other states. No state may exercise its jurisdiction over any part of the high seas.

Freedom of navigation includes the meaning of passage. Passage means navigation through the territorial sea for different purposes. A ship can go across the territorial sea, not calling or calling at a port if there is force majeure or _________, or for the purpose of helping people, ships or aircraft in danger or distress.

Passage can be innocent. Passage is innocent if it doesn’t break peace, good order or security of the coastal state. Such passage can take place under the LOS Convention and in accordance with other rules of international law.

Passage can be transit. Transit passage is quick and continuous navigation between one part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone and another part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is “cannon-shot” rule?

2. What is territorial sea?

3. Was it easy to reach an agreement on how big territorial sea must be?

4. What is the LOS Convention?

5. What territorial sea can each state have under the LOS Convention?

6. What is sovereignty?

7. What is a coastal state?

8. What does sovereignty of a coastal state extend to?

9. How big is the exclusive economic zone?

10. What rights do coastal states have within their exclusive economic zones?

11. What can all the states do within the exclusive economic zone?

12. Is the exclusive economic zone part of the high sea?

13. What are freedoms of the sea?

14. What are the names of passages and what do they mean?

 

Task 18. Complete the sentences below with the words and word combinations from the box:

“cannon-shot” rule; according to; the sovereignty; extends; to explore, exploit, conserve and manage

 

1. Under... a three mile territorial sea was recognized as customary international law.

2.... the LOS Convention every state has the right to have its territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.

3.... of a coastal state extends to its land territory.

4. The LOS Convention established exclusive rights for coastal states...,...,...,... all living and nonliving resources within the zone.

Task 19. Translate the following word combinations into English using the words and word combinations from the text above:

    так называемый; территориальные воды; достичь соглашения; в соответствии с; прибрежное государство; распространяется на внутренние воды; примыкающий морской пояс; суверенитет распространяется на воздушное пространство; морское дно и недра; суверенитет осуществляется; осуществляется с соблюдением конвенции; была принята; конвенция установила; эксклюзивные права; исследовать; разрабатывать ресурсы; прокладывать подводные кабели; прокладывать подводные трубопроводы; существуют конфликты между государствами; было признано; прибрежные государства; государства, не имеющие выхода к морю; свобода судоходства; свобода рыболовства; право прокладывать подводные кабели и трубопроводы; право возводить искусственные острова; установки и структуры; свобода научных исследований; понятие прохода; для разных целей; заходя или не заходя в порт; непреодолимая сила (форс мажор); бедствие; помощь людям, судам или летательным аппаратам, находящимся в опасности или терпящим бедствие; мирный проход; транзитный проход; быстрое и непрерывное плавание.

Task 20. Study the text below and comment upon the articles of the Declaration below. Say how you understand the notion “common heritage of the mankind”