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Committee Profile
Creating policy that protects people and the environment is essential to international policy goals that you can spearhead as part of the United Nations Environment Programme at BruinMUN 33! We will work to regulate PFAS and POPs, Per/polyfluoroalkyl substances and persistent organic pollutants, a group of over 14,000 human-made chemicals that persist in the environment longer than any other known substances and are almost impossible to break down entirely posing serious health and environmental problems. PFAS and POPs are found in widely used common items such as food packaging, makeup, cookware, paint, and clothing along with having multiple industrial purposes. As a result they have been found to contaminate soil, nature reservations, drinking water, our blood and that of almost every other creature, leaking into virtual untouched nature such as coral reefs, posing a serious damage. This brings us to the second problem we will tackle: sustainable coral reef management, as corals are central to ocean biodiversity and provide important economic, social, recreational and cultural benefits. Coral reefs are the center of ocean ecosystems and are degrading rapidly, without proper protection more than 25% of marine life would lose their habitats. Addressing these two issues in the UNEP committee will work towards a more sustainable future.
Chair Letter
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to BruinMUN 33! My name is Dana Roelofs (she/her) and I’m super excited to be your Chair for Novice: United Nations Environmental Program.
As for a quick introduction, I’m a fourth year Chemistry and Global Studies double major from Los Alamos, New Mexico (yes, the home of the Manhattan Project). I enjoy a vast variety of academic investigation across both majors, anything from solving the Schrödinger Equation for multi-electron systems to impacts of empire in current international relations. Outside of class you can find me in the lab conducting research or out on the water sailing for the UCLA Sailing Team. If I actually find myself having free time I enjoy cooking/baking with friends, going on a hike, or traveling. All this to say that Model UN has been a place for me to combine my many interests, hence the combination of science and international policy that exists within the two topics we will be discussing. I have chaired, staffed, and competed at collegiate level Model UN tournaments but have yet to be as thrilled about a topic. I am so excited to hear what creative and scientific solutions you come up with!
As for this specific UNEP committee we will be working to regulate persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”) and create sustainable coral reef management. It's a unique opportunity to discuss specific environmental issues that have substantial impact, not only today but far into the future. You will be able to outline how future research and innovation happens, where vital funding goes, and envision new ways to protect ourselves and the environment. I am thrilled to see what each and everyone of you can bring to the table when it comes to tackling these wildly daunting issues. Reach out if you need anything as you are preparing.
Looking forward to it!
Dana Roelofs | Chair
unep@bruinmun.org