What is Montreal Protocol?
In response to the environmental crisis, the UN passed the Montreal Protocol. This protocol is a multilateral environmental agreement by the UN; it was specifically crafted for the management of the production, emissions, and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. When these substances are released into the atmosphere, these man-made chemicals harm the stratospheric ozone layer.
Montreal Protocol Meaning
The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of various substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
The ozone layer is the Earth’s protective shield that absorbs most of the harmful levels of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation to protect the Earth and all life on it. Some of these Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) include Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon tetrachloride, hydro Bromo Fluorocarbons (HBFCs), Methyl Chloroform, and halons. If Earth’s protective shield is gone, it will have devastating effects on humankind.
This protocol was adopted on 16 September 1987 and put into action on 1 January 1989. This protocol has been revised and these revisions happened:
- 1990 London
- 1991 Nairobi
- 1992 Copenhagen
- 1993 Bangkok
- 1995 Vienna
- 1997 Montreal
- 1998 Australia
- 1999 Beijing
- 2016 Kigali
To the present date, this protocol is the only UN treaty to be ratified by every country. That means all 198 UN Member States unanimously voted in favour of this agreement. In the beginning, the protocol was named the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
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
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