# UNV127-28 - 1992 Clean Oceans
In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly established the United Nations Environment Programme (U.N.E.P.), which has been instrumental in the struggle against marine pollution. The U.N.E.P. urges all countries to completely eliminate the dumping of pollutants into the oceans. Perhaps it is because the oceans are so vital, so vast and seemingly omnipotent, that until recently, it was believed the sea’s capacity to absorb waste was limitless. This idea has been proven very wrong. Although pollution has not yet reached the open oceans on a global scale, there is cause for alarm.
In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly established the United Nations Environment Programme (U.N.E.P.), which has been instrumental in the struggle against marine pollution. The U.N.E.P. urges all countries to completely eliminate the dumping of pollutants into the oceans. Perhaps it is because the oceans are so vital, so vast and seemingly omnipotent, that until recently, it was believed the sea’s capacity to absorb waste was limitless. This idea has been proven very wrong. Although pollution has not yet reached the open oceans on a global scale, there is cause for alarm.