Sunday 16 September 2007

16 September 2007: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

in order to protect the ozone layer by controlling emissions of substances that deplete it. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on 19 December 1994, since in 16 September 1987 the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed). Thus, in this year’s celebration of International Ozone Day, the Montreal Protocol will celebrate its 20th Anniversary. Moreover, 2007 is also the International Year of the Ozone Layer.

20th Montreal Protocol (by: Environment Canada / http://www.ec.gc.ca/)

The Montreal Protocol supplements the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (Vienna 22/03/1985) and was signed by 29 countries in Montreal on 16/9/1987. The Protocol is designed to regulate the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Controlled substances are listed in four annexes, and their respective phase-out schedules are designed to allow for progressive tightening over time as scientific evidence for ozone depletion trend is strengthened and as substitutes for the ODS in question are developed. The parties committed to reduce production and consumption of CFCs by half by 1998 and to freeze production and consumption of halons by 1992. Developing countries were granted a 10-year grace period to meet both obligations. The Montreal Protocol was amended in London on 29/06/1990, Copenhagen on 25/11/1992, Montreal on 17/09/1997 and Beijing in December 1999. The Protocol and its 4 amendments have all been concluded by the European Community, respectively on: 16/12/1988 (Council Decision 88/540/EEC, OJ L 297 of 31/10/1988); 20/12/1991 (Decision 91/690/EEC, OJ L 377 of 31/12/1991); 2/12/1993 (Council Decision 94/68/EC, OJ L 33 of 07/02/1994); 17/10/2000 (Council Decision 2000/646/EC, OJ L 272 of 25/10/2000) and on 04/03/2002 (Council Decision 2002/215/EC, OJ L 72 of 14/03/2002). The Vienna Convention together with the Montreal Protocol makes up the “Ozone Treaties”. Participation in the Protocol implies participation in the Convention.

WHAT YOU CAN DO? Always buy food, cosmetics, medicine, devices (air-conditions, refrigerators) etc that is clearly stated that: CONTAINS NO CFCS OR OTHER OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES.
More info:
20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol /
http://www.20yearsmontrealprotocol.org
United Nations Environmental Programme-Ozone Secretariat / http://ozone.unep.org/
European Commission, Treaties Office Database /
http://ec.europa.eu
C. Zerefos /
http://www.zerefos.gr/