The proposal ‘Regulating Land Reclamation’ aims to impose restrictions on how countries are allowed to use land reclamation, here defined as repurposing previously uninhabited areas. Although this is certainly a commendable goal, we feel that the legislation has a few flaws which obstruct the efficacy of these regulations. Additionally, there is the argument to be made that some restrictions are overly burdensome, considering the benefits of land reclamation.

First, section 5 of the proposal exempts all freshwater environments from the majority of the legislation’s protections, a confusing and unjustified exception, which prevents these environments from being protected. Furthermore, section 2(a) uses the word ‘land’ instead of ‘area’, thus failing to adequately ensure the safety of aquatic animals.

Second, the proposal is generally incredibly heavy-handed in its approach to land reclamation. Section 3 means that even a nation suffering from overpopulation, which would have disastrous effects both environmentally and on citizens, might be made unable to expand its land. We believe a proportionality test would have been more appropriate.

Overall, therefore, it is our opinion that a vote against the at-vote proposal is justified, given both its failures in regulating land reclamation and its excessively harsh attitude towards land reclamation.