<
https://theconversation.com/the-last-ozone-layer-damaging-chemicals-to-be-phased-out-are-finally-falling-in-the-atmosphere-232045>
"Since the 1985 discovery of a hole in the ozone layer countries have agreed
and amended treaties to aid its recovery. The most notable of these is the
Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, which is widely
regarded as the most successful environmental agreement ever devised.
Ratified by every UN member state and first adopted in 1987, the Montreal
protocol aimed to reduce the release of ozone-depleting substances into the
atmosphere. The most well known of these are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Starting in 1989, the protocol phased out the global production of CFCs by 2010
and prohibited their use in equipment like refrigerators, air-conditioners and
insulating foam. This gradual phase-out allowed countries with less established
economies time to transition to alternatives and provided funding to help them
comply with the protocol’s regulations.
Today, refrigerators and aerosol cans contain gases like propane which,
although flammable, does not deplete ozone in Earth’s upper atmosphere when
released. However, ozone-friendly alternatives to CFCs in some products, such
as certain foams used to insulate fridges, buildings and air-conditioning
units, took longer to find. Another set of gases, hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs), was used as a temporary replacement.
Unfortunately, HCFCs still destroy ozone. The good news is that levels of HCFCs
in the atmosphere are now falling and indeed have been since 2021 according to
research I led with colleagues. This marks a major milestone in the recovery of
Earth’s ozone layer – and offers a rare success story in humanity’s efforts to
tackle climate-warming gases too."
Via
What Could Go Right?: Mainstreaming Juneteenth
https://theprogressnetwork.org/juneteenth-2024/
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
