The Montreal Protocol was created in the late 1980s to prevent the rapid decline of atmospheric concentration of ozone; that protects life in Earth from the sun's harmful radiation.
Ozone levels in a layer of the atmosphere called the stratosphere had fallen by about 4 percent per year since the 1970s. The stratosphere blocks a form of the sun's radiation known as UV - B rays that can increase the risk of skin diseases, and can harm living organisms
Scientists soon determined that human activities were causing the depletion of the ozone layer. Chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): used in aerosol sprays and refrigeration units were the main reason for the depletion and once it reaches the stratosphere it can cause the destruction of ozone molecules.
Alternatives and Solutions
CFCs can often be replaced by the less damaging hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) but these are not entirely ozone-friendly.
Another group of chemicals called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are safer for the ozone layer as they contain no chlorine, but both HCFCs and HFCs are also powerful greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.
-Tuazon, Stephen 2012
Sources: http://earthjournalism.net/toolkit/?p=122
This is one informative article. Since I read an article about Montreal Protocol i really got curious of what really is this thing. Being a student means of having a great responsibility not only for having good grades but also being aware of our future life. We all about Global warming and its causes and effects but its good to know that since 1990's there are treaties that focuses on how we can prevent and preserve our mother earth. Lets all contribute to this treaties.
ReplyDeleteI got a lot of information! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard about Montreal Protocol, but then when i visited your blogsite, I gain more knowledge. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAt least people are becoming more aware of our environment. This protocol is a good way of taking care of it.
ReplyDeleteThis was one of the topics I discussed in my report in Environmental Science.
ReplyDeleteIn my research, just as mentioned in the article, there was an alternative to CFCs, which was HFCs - they were supposed to be used for the better, but turned out to contribute to global warming as much as CFCs do. For this regard, HFCs are also being phased out, and studies are being conducted on what to replace HFC with.