Achievement of the Montreal Protocol
The achievements of the Montreal Protocol are given as follows:
- After the Montreal Protocol was implemented, 98 percent of ozone depleting substances globally have been phased out compared to 1990 levels to date. Between 1990 and 2010, it is estimated that greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by approximately 135 gigatons of carbon dioxide. In layman’s terms, that is equivalent to about 11 gigatons a year. The protocol also helped in protecting the global climate ecosystem since most ozone depleting substances are greenhouse gases. As everybody knows greenhouse gases are a large contributor to climate change.
- According to a UN study of Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion (2018), the ozone layer is improving by approximately 1-3 percent per decade. With the limited use of HCFCs, emissions of up to 105 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to greenhouse gases have been prevented. This stops the global temperature from increasing by 0.5 degrees Celsius by 2100. Global temperatures must be stopped from rising since they can have negative effects on humankind, the animal world, and the underwater world.
- Over the Antarctic continent, the hole in the ozone layer is expected to close up slowly by the 2060s. It will go back to what it used to be in the 1980s and hopefully give time for the Earth to recover. The ozone layer over the northern hemisphere and mid-latitude is on the mend by the 2030s. The layer over the Polar and the southern hemisphere will be restored by the 2060s. Overall, the protocol seems to be working and the countries are trying their best to contribute.
Montreal Protocol
Montreal Protocol: As you know the ozone layer is part of Earth’s stratosphere and it protects us from the sun’s harmful rays. In the 1970s, scientists made a startling discovery that chemical substances used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol cans were harming the ozone layer.
In 1985, a huge hole was discovered in the ozone layer over the Antarctica continent. Because of this hole in the ozone layer, alarming levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation were able to reach the Earth’s surface and cause harm to the Earth’s inhabitants. The UN and its member countries realized that this ozone layer hole had to be dealt with and concrete measures needed to be taken before it was too late.
In this article, we will read about the Montreal Protocol, its achievements, provisions, and impact.
Table of Content
- What is Montreal Protocol?
- What is Ozone Layer?
- Key Points of the Montreal Protocol
- Provisions of the Montreal Protocol
- Achievement of the Montreal Protocol
- Impact of Montreal Protocol on Global Environmental Policies
Contact Us