One of the most important environmental concerns the world faces today is the depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. The concern is because of the fact that the ozone layer plays a protective role, screening the earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiations.
To create awareness for the protection of ozone layer, the United Nations' (UN) International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer is celebrated on September 16 every year. This event commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone layer in 1987. The protocol was developed under the Vienna Convention, which was adopted in 1985. It is an international agreement designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for destroying the ozone layer.
The theme of the day for this year is, Ozone and Climate: Restored by a World United. The theme is complemented by the tagline: Working towards reducing global-warming HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.
The dual role of ozone leads to two separate environmental issues. There is concern about increases in ozone in the troposphere. low-lying ozone is a key component of photochemical smog, a familiar problem in the atmosphere of many cities around the world. Higher amounts of surface-level ozone are increasingly being observed in rural areas as well. As a result of concerted international efforts, the ozone layer is healing itself and is expected to recover by the middle of this century. In addition, the Montreal Protocol has significantly contributed to the mitigation of climate change by averting the emission of more than 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere by simply phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
The scientific evidence, accumulated over more than two decades of study by the international research community, has shown that human-produced chemicals are responsible for the observed depletions of the ozone layer. In today’s context there are number of questions.
Can we repair the damage already doneIJ How can we prevent further destructionIJ Repair involves the internationally agreed-upon Montreal Protocol and its amendments and adjustments. This agreement regulates the production of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances.
Uncontrolled uses of resources, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, etc., have been caused by urbanisation and industrialisation. Cities concentrate increasing numbers of people and human activities; thus, they import increasing amounts of natural resources and export vast quantities of emissions and waste. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are GHGs that are produced solely by human activities. The main human sources of GHGs contributing to global warming are the dramatic rise in energy use, land-use changes and emissions from industrial activities.
To protect stratospheric ozone and avoid negative health andenvironmental impacts, the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone layer (Montreal Protocol) was signed in 1987. The Montreal Protocol, now signed by more than 180 countries, was amended in 1990, 1992, and 1997, further tightening controls, and ultimately requiring phase out of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) listed by the protocol. However, recovery of stratospheric ozone remains uncertain and depends on continued international commitment to limit ODS emissions.
India became a party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone layer and has ratified all the amendments to the Montreal Protocol. India has provided for protection and improvement of the environment in its Constitution. Article 51-(g) of the Constitution says that it is the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forest, lakes, river and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures. The constitutional provisions are implemented through environment protection laws of the country. Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, have also been issued by the Central Government under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The Act provides a comprehensive set of regulations to control and monitor production and use of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in India.
The Government of India has entrusted the work relating to ozone layer protection and implementation of the Montreal Protocol to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The MoEF has set up an Ozone Cell as a national unit to look after and to render necessary services to implement the protocol and its ODS phaseout programme in India.
To protect the ozone layer; there is an urgent need to stop the release of ozone-depleting substances to the atmosphere. The MoEF has also established an Empowered Steering Committee, which is supported by four Standing Committees, namely the Technology and Finance Standing Committee, Standing Committee for Small Scale, Tiny and Unorganised industries, Standing Committee on Implementation of ODS phaseout projects and Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. The Empowered Steering Committee is responsible for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol provisions, review of various policy and implementation options, project approvals and project monitoring.
The Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund (MlF) in its 29th Meeting held in November 1999 approved the India’s CFC Production Sector gradual phase-out project. The World Bank is the lead implementing agency for the project. UNEP has been designated as the implementing agency for technical assistance component. In this project, it was agreed to reduce total CFC production in accordance with an agreed upon schedule.
It is important to emphasise that we all have a role to play when it comes to protection and preservation of the earth’s ozone layer. There are many policies and projects for the protection of ozone layer. But policies are not enough; it requires a change in our attitude and everyday practice. Before demanding implementation of policies, let’s begin ourselves doing something to protect the ozone layer and save our environment. This requires a collective effort. Whenever possible, we must also replace them with safer alternatives. Besides, there are a number of practical measures which can be taken at individual level to protect the earth’s ozone layer.
(Dr Praharaj is faculty member, Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)