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Anya Ramnani

Updated: May 8, 2023


Saturday, April 22 is the 53-year anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day is an environmental movement that's establishment encouraged residents of the world to become conscious of their impact on the planet. All around the US people take part in numerous service activities that include planting trees, picking up trash, as well as selectively removing invasive species of plants.

Earth Day cleanups have quickly gained popularity as an increasing number of people are becoming environmentally conscious and willing to contribute their efforts. Multiple events have been planned that center around earth day cleanups as well that encourage local families to get involved in maintaining their neighborhoods and local parks. However, cleanups only account for a fraction of the large-scale litter issue. The global litter issue is astounding, but in the US alone, approximately 50 billion pieces of litter waste end up in roads and water sources.

A study conducted by researchers in California found that each time they returned to a site they has cleaned the previous week, they would find the same amount if not more trash. The trash accumulated at a steady pace without slowing regardless of the researcher's multiple efforts to clean the area. Environmental researcher Win Cowger states that they “ were keeping these sites pristinely clean, and that litter accumulation was steady, It was scary how steady it was.” The majority of the trash found was plastic waste from various products including single-use food packaging, plastic bags, and tobacco products.


As citizens become more aware of the litter problems plaguing the country, there has been increasing pressure for the government directly attack the cause of the problem. Encouraging Americans to reduce their plastic intake can be beneficial, however, an impactful way to reduce the production of common trash products is by holding companies accountable for their contributions towards the issue. Only very recently in 2021, Maine and Oregon established their laws that hold companies accountable for the contribution their products have on the environment. These states implemented policies that require companies to pay for the cost of recycling, which is directly impacted by the materials used. Overall, people all over the country recognize the problem at hand and are ready to take part in solving it.


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Anya Ramnani

Updated: May 8, 2023

Prior to a recent Model UN conference, I wrote a position paper about Germany's position on the current opioid epidemic and the lack of access to pain medication in some regions. This paper discusses possible methods that I researched to reduce addiction as well as suggests a method to combat the lack of access to medication in some countries.


"Germany recognizes the critical condition of the current climate of the opioid epidemic and the lack of access to pain medication in some regions. Globally, the average person consumes 32 milligrams of opioids per year, however, the average numbers within individual countries vary significantly. Currently, in Germany, individuals consume an average of 480 milligrams of opioids per year. Germany, along with the United States, Canada, and Iceland leads the world in opioid consumption rates. These four countries account for 89% of the world's opioid supply. The stark difference in resource accessibility leaves the rest of the global population extremely lacking in narcotic resources. Germany believes that this issue must be addressed because access to pain management is a healthcare right, not a privilege. Lack of access to narcotic drugs in these countries leaves thousands of patients struggling with illnesses that impair mobility, are chronic or fatal, and can be extremely painful without any means of relief. Germany strongly believes that countries similar to Germany in terms of access to narcotic drugs should join Germany in efforts to ensure equal access to pain medication globally.

Germany acknowledges its high opioid consumption rate. However, the solutions that Germany has implemented in order to avoid a large-scale opioid epidemic should be recognized as well. One solution that Germany has implemented is to not use opioids as a front-line medication for pain. Instead, opioids are used only if all other pain suppressors fail. This ensures that the consumption of opioids only occurs when it is absolutely necessary, which limits the potential for misuse. Furthermore, Germany has implemented a series of approaches to reduce mortality rates due to drug misuse in the country. An approach Germany has adopted is the implementation of harm reduction centers and procedures. Harm reduction centers provide those who experience addiction with a place to consume drugs under medical supervision. These centers promote the responsible use of drugs and provide clean equipment which both work together to lower overdose rates and curb the spread of disease. Data shows that Germany’s policies work well to eliminate the misuse of narcotic drugs.

Germany supports the implementation of a program that allows hospitals with an abundance of medications to donate to hospitals in countries that are in need of those medications. Germany also advocates for the implementation of harm reduction centers in regions where the opioid epidemic is rampant in order to lower the spread of disease within communities as well as lower overdose and mortality rates among those who experience addiction. Acknowledging both the injustices that lie within the lack of pain medication in certain regions and the rampant epidemic of opioid addiction, Germany will work both with countries that are abundant in narcotic resources, and countries that lack these resources to bridge the gap between the drastic statistics that the world currently faces, and create unified solutions that combat addiction on a global scale. Germany is looking forward to engaging in spirited and productive debate and collaboration with fellow Delegates."

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Anya Ramnani

For many people, the first building that comes to mind when thinking of New York City is the Empire State Building. The iconic 102-story building has been a member of the NYC skyline since its completion in 1931, where it kept its title as the tallest building in the world for forty years. The skyscraper was built with the intention of hosting offices although it is much more widely known for its stature as well as its panoramic views of the city. The building adapts a Modernist Art Deco style and remains one of the most revered examples of the art style. The building's metallic colors, pronounced shapes and designs, and incorporation of glass and steel resulted in an extremely unique and original work of architecture. The building uses a building style known as Ziggurats that is adapted from ancient buildings. Ziggurats utilize methods such as pyramid-like construction to create buildings that have the potential to be very tall which was important to the architects constructing the skyscraper. Along with 730 tons of aluminum and stainless steel, the building was constructed by using 200,000 cubic feet of Indiana limestone and granite, and 10 million bricks. Today, after over ninety years since its completion, The Empire State Building remains the gem of New York City and continues to attract thousands to the city.

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