Environment: Ozone Layer & Montreal Protocol

The Ozone Layer in the stratosphere protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Its depletion is primarily caused by Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) like CFCs.

International Agreements

• Vienna Convention (1985): The first global framework for the protection of the ozone layer.
• Montreal Protocol (1987): A landmark international treaty designed to phase out the production of substances responsible for ozone depletion.
• Kigali Amendment (2016): An amendment to the Montreal Protocol specifically targeting the phase-down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Key Concepts and Terms

• Dobson Unit (DU): The standard unit used to measure the total amount of atmospheric ozone in a vertical column.
• Ozone Hole: Primarily observed over Antarctica during the spring due to unique meteorological and chemical conditions.
• World Ozone Day: Celebrated annually on September 16th to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol.
• Good vs. Bad Ozone: Stratospheric ozone is “good” (protection), while ground-level tropospheric ozone is “bad” (pollutant).

Question for you: Which chemical element found in CFCs is the primary catalyst in the destruction of ozone molecules?

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