Atmosphere

The earth’s atmosphere is negatively affected by air pollution from human activity. In fact, air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. World Health Organization (WHO) data shows 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants.

Different forms of atmospheric pollution have different consequences. First, factories, power plants and vehicles produce sulfur and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants can cause respiratory ailments and aggravate conditions such as asthma. They can also cause acid rain, or acid deposition, which harms trees, lakes and streams and the wildlife that live there. Second, industrial processes and explosions may release harmful particulate matter into the atmosphere, which the wind then spreads around the world. This is of particular concern when winds spread pesticides, radioactivity, or other hazardous material. Third, the stratospheric ozone layer is needed to absorb most of the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Some manmade chemicals, especially refrigerants, can rise into the stratosphere, react chemically with the ozone molecules, and eat away at the earth’s ozone layer. Increased UV rays can cause increases in certain types of skin cancers, eye cataracts, and immune deficiency disorders. They  also affect plant growth, reducing agricultural productivity.

Events and Articles

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Vienna Convention COP 10 and Montreal Protocol MOP 26

MOP26 adopted eight substantive and seventeen procedural decisions. Substantive decisions adopted include: essential-use exemptions (EUEs) and critical-use exemptions (CUEs); availability of recovered, recycled or reclaimed halons; and a Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) report on alternatives to ozone depleting substances. 
Conference of the Parties (COP) 17 November 2014 - 21 November 2014

Montreal Protocol MOP 24

MOP 24 adopted 14 substantive and 11 procedural decisions, including on: the review by the Scientific Assessment Panel (SAP) of RC-316c; procedural issues related to the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) and its subsidiary bodies; budget; and data and compliance issues. MOP 24 did not reach agreement on the draft decision on clean production of HCFC-22 through by-product emission control or on the draft decision to amend the Montreal Protocol to include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Event 12 November 2012 - 16 November 2012

32nd Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

At OEWG 32, delegates considered several issues arising from the 2012 Progress Report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). Parties also discussed the treatment of ozone depleting substances (ODS) used to service ships, a TEAP report on additional information on ODS alternatives, the evaluation of the Protocol’s financial mechanism, and TEAP nomination and operations processes. 
Event 23 July 2012 - 27 July 2012

Montreal Protocol MOP 22

MOP-22 was not able to make progress on low-global warming potential alternatives, or ODS destruction, which many delegates said were issues key to the long-term future of the Protocol. Although the draft decisions to amend the Montreal Protocol to include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) were not successful, their proponents remained committed to addressing HFCs through the Montreal Protocol in the future.
Event 8 November 2010 - 12 November 2010