Thursday April 24 2024

Montreal Protoc Spreading awarenes

Sophia Sommerhalder

What is the Montreal Protocol ?

The Montreal Protocol is a significant global
agreement that controls nearly 100 man-made
chemicals known as ozone-depleting substances
(ODS). These chemicals harm the ozone layer,
which shields the Earth from harmful UV
radiation. The protocol was signed on September
16, 1987, and has been universally agreed and
signed.

It gradually reduces the production and use of

ODS, with different timelines for developed and
developing countries. All parties have
responsibilities concerning the phase-out of
ODS, trade control, reporting data, and more.
Both developed and developing nations have
binding commitments.

The protocol covers various aspects like control

measures, calculation of control levels, trade
control with non-parties, special considerations
for developing countries, data reporting, non-
compliance, and technical assistance. The
substances controlled by the treaty are listed in
different annexes.
The treaty adapts to new scientific, technical,
and economic developments and undergoes
amendments. The Meeting of the Parties governs
the treaty, with support from an Open-ended
Working Group. The Ozone Secretariat, based in
Nairobi, assists the parties.
Background
What’s Ozone and why is it important?
Ozone, also known as trioxygen, is an The ozone layer acts as a protective shield,
inorganic molecule (03), the molecule absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV)
contains three atoms instead of two. It's radiation from the sun, particularly UV-B
found naturally in small amounts in the radiation, which can cause sunburn and
Earth's stratosphere. It absorbs solar pose health risks to humans and
ultraviolet radiation, which could otherwise ecosystems
harm living things on the Earth's surface.
These include an elevated risk of skin
The stratospheric ozone layer is essential for cancer, eye damage such as cataracts and
human and ecosystem health, as it blocks photokeratitis, weakened immune system,
harmful UV radiation from reaching the premature aging of the skin, sunburn, and
Earth's surface. However, the use of ozone- DNA damage in skin cells.
depleting substances (ODS), such as
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), has led to the Ozone absorbs UV-B radiation in the
thinning of the ozone layer, particularly in stratosphere, preventing excessive levels
the "ozone hole" near the South Pole. of this harmful radiation from reaching the
Earth's surface. The ozone layer is crucial
According to the UN Environment program, for safeguarding life on Earth by shielding
environmental effects assessment in 2022 against the damaging effects of UV
without the Montreal Protocol, UV radiation radiation on humans, animals, plants, and
would have increased significantly, microbes
particularly in southern latitudes, by up to
100% in some areas.

Ozone, Trioxygen
 Thursday 25 April 2024
Sophia Sommerhalder
The problem
ODS and CFCs
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other
ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are
known to decrease the concentration
of stratospheric ozone, which is
critical for protecting life on Earth
from harmful UV radiation. These
substances, including CFCs,
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs),
halons, methyl bromide, and others,
are stable in the troposphere but act as
catalysts in the stratosphere, leading to
ozone depletion
ODS are emitted at the Earth's surface
and eventually transported into the
stratosphere over a period of two to
five years. Once in the stratosphere,
these substances degrade under intense
ultraviolet light, releasing chlorine or
bromine atoms that then deplete ozone
molecules . The breakdown of ODS in
the stratosphere contributes to the
formation of an "ozone hole,"
particularly notable over Antarctica
during the spring season
The Plan
MEDCs and LEDCs
MEDCs have taken significant steps
to reduce their ODS emissions and
transition to safer alternatives. In
contrast, LEDCs may have different
timelines for phasing out ODS due to
economic considerations and
technological capabilities
To support LEDCs in this process,
MEDCs have created funds and
initiatives to assist with the transition
away from ODS. These financial
mechanisms aim to provide resources,
technology transfer, and capacity-
building support to help LEDCs comply
with ozone protection regulations and
reduce their environmental impact
NEWS TODAY Issue #10
The impact of ODS on stratospheric
ozone has prompted global efforts to
regulate and phase out their use. The
Montreal Protocol, an international
agreement, has been instrumental in
banning the use of ODS like CFCs to
protect the ozone layer and mitigate the
risks associated with ozone depletion.
Despite these regulations, ongoing
research highlights the importance of
continued monitoring and action to
address the environmental and health
consequences of ODS-induced ozone
depletion.
In summary, ODS such as CFCs play a
significant role in depleting stratospheric
ozone, which is essential for shielding
life on Earth from harmful UV radiation.
International agreements like the
Montreal Protocol have been crucial in
addressing this issue and working
towards protecting the ozone layer for Diagram of ODS being emmitted in the earths surface
future generations
Sophia Sommerhalder
Evidence
Researchers have observed this depletion of
the ozone layer over the South Pole annually,
typically between August and October, with
the hole reaching its maximum size between
mid-September and mid-October
In 2023, the Antarctic ozone hole reached its
maximum size on September 21, covering an
area of 10 million square miles or 26 million
square kilometers, making it the 12th largest
single-day ozone hole since 1979. During the
peak of the ozone depletion season from
September 7 to October 13, the hole averaged
8.9 million square miles (23.1 million square
kilometers), approximately the size of North
America
The size and depth of the ozone hole fluctuate
due to variations in stratospheric temperature
and circulation. Colder conditions lead to
larger areas and lower ozone values at the
center of the hole. Human activities,
The timeline for phasing out ozone- particularly the release of
depleting substances (ODS) in more chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-
economically developed countries depleting substances into the atmosphere,
(MEDCs) has been significant, with the have contributed to the formation of the
European Union (EU) implementing ozone hole by releasing chlorine atoms that
the phase-out of ODS use in line with destroy ozone molecules
the Montreal Protocol requirements
over the period 1987-2010. This
timeline was 10 years ahead of the legal
provision, showcasing proactive
measures taken by MEDCs to reduce
ODS emissions and transition to safer
alternative
 Fluctiations in the Ozone layer from 2014-2019

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 Thursday 25 April 2024
NEWS TODAY
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Problems encountered during the implementation of the Montreal Pro
Imperfect substitutes, global warming potential & black markets
During the implementation of the
Montreal Protocol, several problems
and limitations were encountered,
including issues with imperfect
substitutes, the Global Warming
Potential (GWP) of alternative
Montreal Protocol substances, and the emergence of a
black market for ozone-depleting
substances like CFCs.
Imperfect Substitutes: One challenge faced during the phase-
out of ozone-depleting substances was the availability of
imperfect substitutes. While efforts were made to transition to
safer alternatives to ODS, some of these substitutes posed their
own environmental challenges. For example, some substitutes
for CFCs and HCFCs are potent greenhouse gases with high
Global Warming Potentials (GWPs), contributing to climate
change
Global Warming Potential (GWP): The phase-out of ODS
led to the introduction of alternative substances like
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as non-ozone depleting
alternatives. However, some of these alternatives have high
GWPs, which can contribute significantly to global warming.
Balancing the need to protect the ozone layer while mitigating
climate change impacts posed a complex challenge during the
implementation of the protocol
Black Market for CFCs: Despite regulations and efforts to
phase out ozone-depleting substances, a black market for CFCs
emerged in some regions. Illegal trade in banned substances
like CFCs undermines the progress made in protecting the
ozone layer and poses enforcement challenges for authorities
tasked with regulating ODS use
Page 3
Issue #10
The Antarctic ozone hole is expected to close by the 2060s,
with other regions returning to pre-1980s values even earlier.
This progress has resulted in an estimated two million people
being saved from skin cancer annually, along with broader
benefits such as mitigating global temperature increases.
Despite the success of the Montreal Protocol, challenges
remain. The ozone hole over the South Pole has recently grown
larger than Antarctica itself, indicating ongoing fluctuations in
its size and confirming the need for continued monitoring and
action. The use of synthetic compounds like
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) has contributed to ozone depletion,
emphasizing the importance of strict regulations and
enforcement to protect the ozone layer .
Looking ahead, the Montreal Protocol's control measures are
expected to return the ozone layer to pre-1980 levels. The
World Meteorological Organization predicts that the ozone
layer over most of the northern hemisphere and mid-latitudes
should fully recover by the 2030s, with recovery over the
southern hemisphere by the 2050s and above Antarctica later in
this century. Continued international cooperation and
adherence to the protocol will be crucial in ensuring the long-
term recovery and protection of the ozone layer for future
generations.
Bibliography

https://www.unep.org/ozonaction/who-we-are/about-montreal-protocol

https://ozone.unep.org/system/files/documents/EEAP-2022-Assessment-Report-May2023.pdf

https://www.britannica.com/science/ozone

https://ozone.unep.org/ozone-and-you

https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/basic-ozone-layer-science

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/
Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Kinetics/07:_Case_Studies-_Kinetics/
7.03:_Depletion_of_the_Ozone_Layer

https://ozone.unep.org/20-questions-and-answers

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/152023/modest-ozone-hole-in-2023

https://www.ukri.org/news-and-events/responding-to-climate-change/topical-stories/the-story-behind-the-discovery-of-the-ozone-
hole/

https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/europe-continues-to-phase-out

https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/consumption-of-ozone-depleting-substances