We made great strides to restore the ozone layer, let’s follow that international cooperation model and mitigate the effects of climate change.
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The Ozone layer (Earth’s protective layer), is well on its way to recovery, in the next few decades, thanks to concerted international action against ozone depleting substances (The Assessment for Decision-Makers, a summary document of the Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion 2014).
What is the Ozone layer?
Ozone layer, or ozone shield, refers to the fragile gas region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs 97-99% of the Sun’s medium-frequency ultraviolet light, which otherwise would damage exposed life forms on the surface.
The Montreal Protocol to control ozone depleting substances and reverse the ozone damage was agreed to on September 16, 1987, and entered into force on January 1, 1989. Thanks to a unique adjustment provision, Parties to the protocol (192 countries have ratified the Montreal Protocol as of April 15, 2014) can respond quickly to new scientific information and agree to accelerate reductions required for chemicals under the protocol, which was adjusted six times. (March 7, 1991, September 23, 1993, August 5, 1996, June 4, 1998, 28 July, 2000 and May 14, 2008 respectively).
October 1, 1998 image of the hole in ozone layer now shrinking
According to global models, the Protocol will have prevented 2 million cases of skin cancer annually by 2030, averted damage to human eyes and immune systems, and protected wildlife and agriculture .
The Global Climate Connection: The phase-out of ozone depleting substances had a positive impact on global climate because many of these substances are also potent greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, the rapid rise in certain substitutes, themselves also potent greenhouse gases, could potentially undermine these gains. Possible approaches have been studies and proposed to avoid climate effects of these substances.
PricewaterhouseCoopers accounting firm just concluded a study that indicates we are 20 years from serious food insecurity, coastal inundation, extreme weather events, ecosystem shifts and widespread species extinction (and the process has been ongoing and is here). To avoid a catastrophe, and by example, the G20 nations will need to cut their annual energy-related emissions by one-third by 2030, and by just over half by 2050.
UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner indicated:
“There are positive indications that the ozone layer is on track to recovery towards the middle of the century. The Montreal Protocol – one of the world’s most successful environmental treaties – has protected the stratospheric ozone layer and avoided enhanced UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface… However, the challenges that we face are still huge. The success of the Montreal Protocol should encourage further action not only on the protection and recovery of the ozone layer but also on climate. The Montreal Protocol community, with its tangible achievements, is in a position to provide strong evidence that global cooperation and concerted action are the key ingredients to secure the protection of our global commons.”
In addressing the connected issue of Climate Change, WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said:
“International action on the ozone layer is a major environmental success story…this should encourage us to display the same level of urgency and unity to tackle the even greater challenge of climate change. This latest assessment provides solid science to policy-makers about the intricate relationship between ozone and climate and the need for mutually-supportive measures to protect life on earth for future generations…Human activities will continue to change the composition of the atmosphere. WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch programme will therefore continue its crucial monitoring, research and assessment activities to provide scientific data needed to understand and ultimately predict environmental changes, as it has done for the past 25 years.”
As a result of the Montreal Protocol agreement, the ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 benchmark levels–the time before significant ozone depletion–before the middle of the century. This reduction has also made a large contribution to reducing global greenhouse gases emissions. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg (yes global warming also brings with it extreme weather , droughts, bigger and bigger storms and extreme cold weather as well. In addition, climate change is expected to lower grain yield and raise crop prices across the developing and developed world, leading to a 20-percent rise in child malnutrition).
There is not doubt that human industrial activity has a major effect on ozone layer depletion as well as substantial increase in greenhouse gases that largely contribute, accelerate and exacerbate climate change. It is also clear that we can fix the ozone layer and mitigate and, given time and global will and action, maybe reverse the adverse effects of climate change. Only question is, will we have the will to do it?
Photo: SCIAF Ohoto /Flicker Photo2: NASA on The Commons /Flicker
Photo3: Oxfam International /Flciker