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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3rd Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (ExMOP 3) and Associated Meetings
The resumed session of OEWG 37 continued its discussions on the feasibility and ways of managing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), as agreed to under the Dubai Pathway on HFCs. It concluded its work on generating solutions to the stated challenges contained in the Dubai Pathway on HFCs. A key outcome was agreement on possible funding solutions.
37th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
Delegates made slow and steady progress throughout the week, with many lauding discussions for moving from a general nature to addressing specific challenges. Although the contact group was not able to complete its mandate, a sense of optimism remained after the closing session with expectations that the next round of negotiations would continue to make significant progress and provide concrete steps towards adopting an amendment on HFC management in 2016.
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.
34th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
Throughout the week, delegates focused on the amendment proposals, the 2015-2017 replenishment of the MLF, and the outcomes of the HFC management workshop held immediately before the meeting. Clear divisions among parties meant that little progress on the amendment proposals was achieved.