Senate Committee Approves Law of the Sea Treaty The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the 1982 United Nations Law of the Sea treaty on a 17-4 vote. The action clears the way for a first-ever Senate floor vote where the 25-year-old treaty, which has been ratified by more than 150 countries, must pass by two-thirds majority to be ratified. The treaty is the first comprehensive, enforceable international environmental law covering all forms of marine pollution, including the airspace above and the sea bed and subsoil below. President Bush has urged Senate action on the treaty, and numerous high officials of his and earlier administrations have testified in its support arguing that ratification will allow the United States to take part in leading cooperative efforts to protect the marine environment, guarantee freedom of passage for naval vessels, and give Washington a seat at the table in negotiations on exploiting the oceans' mineral wealth.United Nations Law of the Sea treaty COSEE-NE Newsletter - 1 billion in billion in billion in billion in 2005 World Population (billions) Source: UN Population Division 2004; Lee, 2003; Population Reference Bureau 9/28/world/asia/choking_on_growth_2.html #story3http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/0 9/28/world/asia/choking_on_growth_2.html #story3 US Coastal Population In 2003, approximately 153 million people (53 percent of the nations population) lived in the 673 U.S. coastal counties, an increase of 33 million people since 1980.In 2003, approximately 153 million people (53 percent of the nations population) lived in the 673 U.S. coastal counties, an increase of 33 million people since By the year 2008, coastal county population is expected to increase by approximately 7 million.By the year 2008, coastal county population is expected to increase by approximately 7 million. Adjacent coastal counties and first suburbs are experiencing rapid growth due to coastal cost of living.Adjacent coastal counties and first suburbs are experiencing rapid growth due to coastal cost of living. Development of MA Land/Coastal Watershed in Two Generations Source: See, MassGIS, esent/structures_ pdf - MA coastal structureshttp://www.mass.gov/czm/chc/meetings/pr esent/structures_ pdfesent/spadoni_florida_ pdf - FL beach nourishmenthttp://www.mass.gov/czm/chc/meetings/pr esent/spadoni_florida_ pdf Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of Cape Cod National Seashore to Sea-Level Rise233/fig3_8.html - Nauset spithttp://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/of /fig3_8.html Standard Nightlight Imaging Generally Indicating Population Centers World Energy Consumption by Region The Politics of Oil Terms and Direction of International Trade in Crude Oil More land was converted to cropland in the 30 years after 1950 than in the 150 years between 1700 and Cultivated Systems in 2000 cover 25% of Earths terrestrial surface (Defined as areas where at least 30% of the landscape is in croplands, shifting cultivation, confined livestock production, or freshwater aquaculture) mass balances of C, N and P interphase with integrated coastal management land use, climate, sea level on material fluxes and coastal morphodynamics anthropogenic influence trace gas emissions source/ sink for Carbon dioxide Biomass of Table Fish (tons per km2) Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment; Christensen et al %20Section%20One%20Survey%20Story%20616.ppt