Ozone Layer

By Bianca G

  • CFCs Invented

    “Wonder gas” CFCs were invented in 1928
    for commercial applications.

  • Scientists Discover CFCs Split Up Ozone

    In 1973 chemist Frank Sherwood Rowland of the University of California, Irvine and his post-doctoral student, Mario J. Molina, suggested that long-lived organic halogen compounds, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), could reach the stratosphere where they would be dissociated by UV light, releasing chlorine atoms. They demonstrated that CFCs were indeed the major source of stratospheric chlorine, and that nearly all of the CFCs emitted would eventually reach the stratosphere.

  • UN Gets Involved

    In 1977, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
    sets up a co-ordinating committee to study the ozone layer.

  • Countries Begin To Ban Some CFCs

    In 1978, the United States of America, Canada,
    Sweden and Norway ban the use of CFCs in aerosols.

  • UNEP Starts Inter- Governmental Negotiations

    In 1981, UNEP starts inter-governmental negotiations to protect the ozone layer.

  • Consumption Of CFCs Increases

    After 1982, in the absence of other moves, the consumption of CFCs increases again. Industry demands proof of ozone depletion due to CFCs.

  • Vienna Convention for the Protection

    Governments agree to study, exchange information and
    protect the ozone layer - through the Vienna Convention for the
    Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985). Scientists continue to find
    proof of ozone depletion.

  • The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the ozone Layer

    In 1987, 46 governments agree to a fifty per cent cut in the
    production and consumption of CFCs by the year 2000; a freeze
    in production and consumption of halons by 1992; further
    controls linked to assessments by experts.

  • Trends Links To Ozone Depletion

    In 1988, the UNEP - WMO report on ozone
    trends links CFCs to ozone depletion.

  • Recomend Tougher Controls

    In 1989, the UNEP Assessment Panel of experts reports THE NEED for tougher controls.

  • London Amendment

    Parties agree to completely phase out CFCs by the year 2000, and to establish a Multilateral Fund to assist developing coun-
    tries. US$ 240 million was allocated for 1991 - 1993.

  • Testing The Ozone Depleting Potential

    UNEP Assessment Panels recommend that more substances
    (HCFCs, methyl bromide) are controlled and that the phase out of CFCs is advanced.

  • Copenhagen Amendment –

    In 1992, it was decided that the developed countries phase out
    HCFCs by 2030, freeze methyl bromide by 1995 and that the
    phase out of CFCs be brought forward to 1996.

  • Meeting Of The Parties

    In 1993, the Meeting of the Parties, held in Bangkok, agrees to a
    replenishment of the Multilateral Fund - US$455 million for 1994 - 1996.

  • UNEP Assessment

    Halons are phased out by industrialized countries. UNEP Assess-
    ment Panels recommend tougher controls on methyl bromide.

  • Phase Out CFCs

    Some countries, the Russian Federation and others, report an
    inability to phase out CFCs by 1996 due to their internal problems.
    The Global Environment Facility (GEF) offers to help them.
    Developing countries agree to phase out methyl bromide by 2010.

  • Industrialized Countries

    The Meeting of the Parties held in Costa Rica, approves the
    replenishment of the Multilateral Fund and gives US$466 million for 1997 - 1999.

  • Montreal Amendment

    Industrialized countries agree to phase out methyl bromide by
    2005. Developing countries will phase out the same by 2015. Licensing for the import and export of CFCs was introduced.GEF assists countries with economies in transition to phase out CFCs.

  • Approvement Replenishment Of The Multilateral

    The Ozone meetings in Beijing in December 1999 approved a
    replenishment of the Multilateral Fund of US$ 440 million for the years 2000-2002 for continuing the phase-out of CFCs, in addition to the carry-over of US$ 35.7 million from the previous period.

  • Bannes Bromochloromethane

    The 11th Meeting of the Parties in Beijing banned
    bromochloromethane, (a new ozone-depleting chemical)
    and put controls on production of HCFCs and trade in HCFCs with non-Parties.

  • Bejing Declaration

    The Beijing Declaration (December 1999) reiterated the
    commitment of all Governments to continue full implementation
    of the Montreal Protocol and ensure the protection of the ozone layer.