The Political Aspects of Ozone Depletion
Environmental Studies Group Project: The Political Effects of Ozone Depletion Unlike most environmental issues, there was widespread acceptance of scientific predictions concerning ozone depletion. Protecting the ozone layer by controlling the production of ozone-depleting substances (ODP's), has been a major environmental concern since the mid-1970's. At this time, two scientists, Molina and Rowland published a study demonstrating the ability of CFC's to catalytically breakdown ozone in the presence of high frequency UV light. This ozone, along with oxygen in the stratosphere absorbs almost all UV. The main problem is that CFC's, halons, chlorinated solvents, and methyl bromide are unstable to UV-C in the stratosphere and will photolyze to form chlorine radicals. These chlorine radicals are a major ozone-depleting substance with very high ozone depleting potential. There are many serious consequences of ozone depletion, not only on the environment but on human health as well. Like any other major environmental issue there is politics and controversy surrounding it; that is what will be discussed in the following paragraphs. As Rowland and Molina's paper discussing CFC's as ozone deplet
While Du Pont denied any allegations, consumers were scared. In 2002, future Prime Minister Paul Martin voted in favor of the Montreal Protocol. The United States had been a leader in ozone protection until Bush took office in 2001. in 1984, before publications of the Farman paper, we noticed a sudden increase in low value( <180 DU), from October of 1983. More was needed to shock the world into action. and it requested authorization from the UNEP to use 23 million pounds of the pesticide in 2005 and 20. In the early 1980's there was pressure from the United Nation's Environment Programme, (UNEP) for other countries to reduce CFC emissions, but the European Union and Japan were reluctant to comply due to economic implications. The major chemical companies, such as Du Pont argued that scientific evidence that their products effected the ozone layer would be needed before they introduced any restrictions. Existing CFC's are re-used and recycled whenever possible. We believe that when this data is in hand it will exonerate fluorocarbons. "Countries in Africa and Latin America have already eliminated methyl bromide use, but U. In 1985, the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer outlined responsibilities for protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of ozone depletion. Catering to wealthy countries like the U.
Common topics in this essay:
Du Pont,
Molina Rowland,
Antarctic Survey,
Rowland Molina's,
Union Japan,
Academy Sciences,
Depletion Unlike,
Scientists NASA,
Flight Center,
Magazine October,
du pont,
ozone depletion,
ozone layer,
ozone hole,
cfc's aerosols,
ozone depleting,
chlorine radicals,
ozone levels,
major environmental,
|