Ozone depletion is a major problem that haunts today’s world. Ozone layer is a gaseous layer that is present in the stratosphere. It is called the ozone layer as it mainly made up of ozone particles. Ozone is a compound formed by the fusion of 3 oxygen atoms. There are other particles in the layer, but ozone makes up the majority. The main function of this layer is deflection of the harmful Ultraviolet radiation.
Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer. Why does this happen? Due to human activity, chemical compounds of chlorine and bromine are released into the atmosphere and this reacts with the ozone particles, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer. What is problematic about this is that it allows the entry of harmful UV rays into the Earth’s atmosphere, which causes a lot of health problems for people including skin cancer, cataracts and genetic as well as immune damages. There is an indirect effect on the increasing temperatures as well.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer or the Montreal Protocol was an agreement signed in 1987. It is a part of the Vienna Convention for the protection of Ozone layer, 1985. The Montreal Protocol tackled with the main causes of ozone depletion. It sought to regulate the substances that caused ozone depletion. The most common of these pollutants or substances with ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) is Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Around 197 countries have ratified the Montreal protocol and has it has been widely recognised as one of the most successful environmental protection legislations that was drafted in the international forum. Another important achievement of the Montreal Protocol is that it is the first international environment treaty to be ratified by all member nations, i.e., it was completely ratified.
HCFCs and CFCs have been widely used in cooling devices such as refrigerators, air conditioners etc. The irony of this is that cooling devices have been responsible for the increasing temperatures on Earth. The Montreal protocol aims at reducing the ozone depletion. The first step that it took was phasing about of the substances with ODP. These substances have greenhouse effects and therefore phasing out their use has helped with the climate change measures that the UN adopted. The Montreal protocol has set out a timetable that lists out different substances that can cause ozone depletion and the time by which it is aimed to be completely phased out. What is distinct about this timetable that it takes into consideration the different stages of each country and has therefore set different times for both developed and developing countries.
The Montreal Protocol has also set up a fund: the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol. This fund aims at helping developing countries reduce their dependence on ozone depleting substances. There is also an Annual Meeting for Parties of Montreal Protocol that is conducted with the aim of reviewing all the activities and making necessary changes and taking new steps. The Montreal Protocol has to a certain extend been successful in attaining its objectives, but there is still a long way to go.
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
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