Antarctic Ozone Layer Shows Signs of Healing

• The Antarctic ozone layer is beginning to show signs of healing, according to new research.
• The study found that the hole in the ozone layer is closing. The researchers found that the average size of the ozone hole when measured each September has shrunk by more than 1.7 million square miles since 2000.
• The scientists credit the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which cut the production of chemicals that damage the ozone layer, with facilitating the healing.
• The ozone layer protects the earth from ultraviolet rays but was damaged by chlorofluorocarbon or CFC a compound used in aerosols and insulation foam. The Montreal Protocol called for the elimination of the use of CFCs in manufacturing.
• The hole is formed each year during the Southern Hemisphere spring from September to early December, when there is a sharp decline in the total ozone layer over Antarctica. The dark, cold Antarctic winter brings nacreous clouds that support the chlorine and bromine in chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), a compound once emitted by aerosols and insulation foam, to become chemically active. When sunlight returns to Antarctica in the spring, these chemicals are released and rapidly damage the ozone layer, resulting in a gaping hole,
• While the ozone is certainly on a path to healing, scientists say the hole won’t completely close until mid-century. Volcanic eruptions as well as changes in temperatures and wind speed contribute to ozone loss.

About Montreal protocol:

• In 1985 the Vienna Convention established mechanisms for international co-operation in research into the ozone layer and the effects of ozone depleting chemicals (ODCs). 1985 also marked the first discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole.
• On the basis of the Vienna Convention, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was negotiated and signed by 24 countries and by the European Economic Community in September 1987. The Protocol called for the Parties to phase down the use of CFCs, halons and other man-made ODCs.
• The Montreal Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds that deplete ozone in the stratosphere--chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform--are to be phased out by 2000 (2005 for methyl chloroform).
• Man-made chlorines, primarily chloroflourobcarbons (CFCs), contribute to the thinning of the ozone layer and allow larger quantities of harmful ultraviolet rays to reach the earth.
• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is one of the first international environmental agreements that includes trade sanctions to achieve the stated goals of a treaty. It also offers major incentives for non-signatory nations to sign the agreement.
• In the 27 years of its operation with extraordinary international cooperation under the treaty has led to phase-out of production and consumption of several major Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) such as Chlorofluorocabons (CFCs), Carbontetrachloride (CTC) and halons globally from 1st January, 2010.
• The Montreal Protocol has not only contributed to protect the ozone layer but also has reduced Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by about 11 Giga tonnes CO2 equivalent per year through its ODS phase-out activities so far.
• So far, 197 countries have signed the Protocol.
• The treaty now calls for complete phase out of HCFC by 2030.

Montreal and India:

• The Government of India has entrusted the work relating to the ozone layer protection and implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances the Ozone Layer to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• The Ministry has established an Empowered Steering Committee (ESC) Chaired by Secretary (EF&CC), which is supported by two standing committees viz. Technology and Finance Standing Committee (TFSC) and the Standing Committee on Monitoring.
• The ESC is overall responsible for implementation of the Montreal Protocol provisions, review of various policies including implementation options, project approvals and monitoring.
• The Ministry has set up an Ozone Cell as a National Ozone Unit (NOU) to render necessary services for effective and timely implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its ODS phase-out program in India.
• India had prepared a detailed Country Program (CP) in 1993 for the phase-out of ODSs in accordance with its National Industrial Development Strategy by accessing funds from financial mechanism of the Montreal Protocol. The CP was updated in 2006. India has proactively phased out the production and consumption of CFCs except use in Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) used for treatment of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ailments from 1st August, 2008. Subsequently, the use of CFCs in MDIs has been phased out from December, 2012. India has also completely phased out production and consumption of CTC and halons as of 1st January, 2010.
• Currently, the Ozone Cell is engaged in phase-out of production and consumption of next category of chemicals, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) with an accelerated phase-out schedule as per the Montreal Protocol

By: Vishal