Ratify Law of the Sea

Ratify the Law of the Sea Rapidly melting sea ice due to global warming is opening the Arctic Ocean - for the first time ever - to new shipping routes, industrial fishing and energy exploration, putting the region's already vulnerable resources at an even greater risk of exploitation. To effectively protect the Arctic, we must have the legal tools in place to handle competing interests in this area of the planet.

The good news is that new international decisions governing the Arctic's resources are being discussed right now under the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty. The bad news is that the United States is not at the negotiating table because, despite having signed the treaty more than 20 years ago, we never ratified it - an action that requires a two-thirds vote in the U.S. Senate.

President Obama has stated that Law of the Sea is one of his priority treaties. But we need his help to ratify the treaty in the Senate this fall to help protect the Arctic's fragile and rapidly changing environment.

Talking Points

Please add your own comments to the below letter.

Subject:

Dear President Obama,

(Edit Letter Below)

The Law of the Sea is a critical international treaty that will enhance U.S. national security, economic opportunity, and our ability to protect our environment.  For years, unfounded ideological opposition has held up U.S. ratification, compromising our military readiness and delaying important decisions on resource management, especially in the Arctic.  In May, your Administration sent a letter to Senator Kerry, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which documented support for moving forward with ratification of the Law of the Sea this year.  Thank you for supporting Senate action on this very important treaty.  I am urging you to continue to actively engage on this issue on Capitol Hill; the Senate needs a strong signal from you and your Cabinet that the Obama Administration is committed to ratification.

With the largest marine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of any nation in the world, the U.S. would benefit from ratification of Law of the Sea for several important reasons; the potential expansion of our EEZ beyond 200 miles; the right to claim Arctic seabed resources and, as sea ice melts, to make decisions affecting shipping and commerce; and to secure ocean navigation rights and enhanced global maritime freedom for our military.

As you undoubtedly know, U.S. ratification of the Treaty is supported by a diverse group of stakeholders including business interests, energy companies and conservationists along with the highest levels of the U.S. military.  We've delayed too long, making the United States just one of 22 countries that are not party to the treaty.  As an Arctic nation and a global leader, we cannot afford to be shut out of important decisions on maritime security and marine resources.  Your presidency can have profound influence over the Senate's decision to move forward with ratification.  I'm urging you to use that influence to secure a place for the United States in the critically important international forum on Law of the Sea.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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