The Montreal Protocol
The 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in the
most significant and successful international agreement realting to an
environmental issue, with many governments signing up and implementing the
agreed changes. Subsequent revisions have reduced the phasing- out timescale
because of the Protocol’s success- phases out in Europe was achived by 2000,
and global phase out is expected by 2030.
The protocol raised public awareness of the use of CFCs and provided an
incentive for countries to find alternatives. Technology has been transferred to
LEDCs to allow them to replace ozone- depleting substances, but some of the
substances used are still ozone depleting, for example HCFCs. Some HCFCs have
been replaced by HFCs, but these are powerful greenhouse gasses.
In spite of the success, these are issues that are hard to overcome:
It is harder for LEDCs to implement changes
The second-hand appliance market means that old fridges are still in circulation
It is protocol that depends on national government being willing to comply.
The long life of the chemicals in the atmosphere means that damage will
continue for some time- until 2100.
Although the ozone ‘holes’ are located over America and the Arctic, the impacts of ozone
depletion are worldwide.
The ozone ‘hole’ is not actually a hole but is a thinning of the concentration of ozone in the
stratosphere.
QUICK CHECK QUESTIONS
-State what is meant by the term ozone hole
-Identify two effects of increased ultraviolet radiation
-Identify ways on which it is possible to reduce the impact of ozone depletion on human
health.
-Identify the ODS management strategies that attempt to deal with the causes of the
pollution
EXAM PRACTISE
Compare technocentric and ecocentric approaches to management of ozone depletion
The 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in the
most significant and successful international agreement realting to an
environmental issue, with many governments signing up and implementing the
agreed changes. Subsequent revisions have reduced the phasing- out timescale
because of the Protocol’s success- phases out in Europe was achived by 2000,
and global phase out is expected by 2030.
The protocol raised public awareness of the use of CFCs and provided an
incentive for countries to find alternatives. Technology has been transferred to
LEDCs to allow them to replace ozone- depleting substances, but some of the
substances used are still ozone depleting, for example HCFCs. Some HCFCs have
been replaced by HFCs, but these are powerful greenhouse gasses.
In spite of the success, these are issues that are hard to overcome:
It is harder for LEDCs to implement changes
The second-hand appliance market means that old fridges are still in circulation
It is protocol that depends on national government being willing to comply.
The long life of the chemicals in the atmosphere means that damage will
continue for some time- until 2100.
Although the ozone ‘holes’ are located over America and the Arctic, the impacts of ozone
depletion are worldwide.
The ozone ‘hole’ is not actually a hole but is a thinning of the concentration of ozone in the
stratosphere.
QUICK CHECK QUESTIONS
-State what is meant by the term ozone hole
-Identify two effects of increased ultraviolet radiation
-Identify ways on which it is possible to reduce the impact of ozone depletion on human
health.
-Identify the ODS management strategies that attempt to deal with the causes of the
pollution
EXAM PRACTISE
Compare technocentric and ecocentric approaches to management of ozone depletion
