Ozone Layer Crisis

By hector.hernandez-h

  • CFCs Invented

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

  • 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-Govermental Negotiation

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

  • Consumption of CFC increases again

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

  • Goverments agree to study and exchange information how to protect the ozone layer

    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.

  • British Antarctic Team discovers thinning in the ozone layer by Antarctica

    The British Antarctic Team discovers severe thinning in the ozone
    layer over Antarctica - the ozone hole.

  • 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.

  • CFC links to ozone depletion

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

  • UNEP Assessment Panel need 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.

  • UNEP Assessment Panel recommends more substances are controlled

    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.

  • Parties agree to a replenishment of Multilateral Fund

    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 Panels recomed tougher controls

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

  • Some countries report to phase out CFC due to their internal problems.

    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

    Industrialized countries

  • Meeting Held in Costa Rica

    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.

  • Montreal Amendment

    Licensing for the import and export of CFCs was introduced.

  • Ozone Meetings

    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.