September 16 th 2010 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

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1 September 16 th 2010 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer Next 16 th of September it will be celebrated the 2010 edition of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, which commemorates the signature of the Montreal Protocol in acknowledgement of the importance of the same for the protection of health and the environment. 1. The theme for the Ozone Day this year is "Ozone layer protection: governance and compliance at their best". Due that this year it is celebrated the greatest milestone of the Montreal Protocol s history, we are not only on the right path for totally phasing out chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), Halons and carbon tetrachloride (CTC); but we have also guaranteed the universal ratification of the Protocol by all Member States to the United Nations (UN). 2. The Ozone Layer protection - Why is important to protect the Ozone Layer? According to scientific evidence, ozone layer depletion has reached such magnitude that the recovery of the ozone layer could only be achieved by midcentury in the Arctic region and the mid latitudes, while on the Antarctic it will only happen after 2065, solely and exclusively if all countries comply with the obligations committed under the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments 1. Notwithstanding who is the main emitting country of ozone depleting substances, the damaging destruction effects of said substances have a global impact where human beings, plants, animals and our environment are affected some way or another. We all have, globally, a degree of responsibility and can contribute with actions allowing us to protect global health and our environment. 3. Health and the Environment. Ozone layer depletion entails an inadequate protection of the Earth s surface against UV-B radiation, which is very intense and when it filters in higher proportions than normally, it causes problems to human health, such as more intense skin burns, skin cancer, a decrease of the immunologic system of human beings, premature skin aging and eye diseases. According to data provided by Environment Canada 2, scientific studies have confirmed that non-melanoma skin cancer arises as a response to UV-B radiation and it is estimated that a 10% sustained destruction of the ozone layer would lead to a 26% increase of non-melanoma skin cancer cases (about 300 thousand new cases yearly globally). Cataracts are a disease that causes clouding of the eyes lens, are the main cause of permanent blindness and they are the result of an overexposure to UV radiation. A 10% sustained loss of the ozone layer could cause globally nearly 2 million of new cataract cases each year. UV-B radiation also reduces plant growth, health of wildlife, of animals in general and damages ecosystems for which the food is affected and therefore, all type of life in the world. 4. The International Convention The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer is considered to be a model for other international treaties, mainly due to the maturity degree it has reached. All the goals achieved can contribute to the development 1 For more information consult the page Milestones: Vienna Convention ; Montreal Protocol- 1987; London Amendment ; Copenhagen Amendment- 1992; Montreal Amendment 1997; Beijing Amendment Environment Canada webpage on health and effects of UV-B radiation

2 of new even more successful international instruments where a higher consistency degree could be ensured and it will be achieved, to certain extent, avoiding the weaknesses that the Montreal Protocol has had to face. CFC production and consumption and most part of Methyl Bromide consumption have been faced out, but there is still work to be done which implies the participation of all stakeholders, including governments, industry and civil society organizations and main groups. We are at a fundamental moment of the process for which we cannot reduce efforts and loose the achievements achieved. On the contrary, we must strengthen ourselves and extend the participation at a general population level since the action of each one of us is a key element for the success on the protection of the ozone layer. 5. Production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances Global production and consumption of all Ozone Depleting Substances have been drastically reduced since the entry in force of the Montreal Protocol and continues to be reduced nowadays. It is worth noting that according to the Montreal Protocol, developed countries had to reduce their consumption in a first stage and now it is the turn for developing countries to demonstrate that they are also capable to contribute for the protection of the atmosphere and of complying with Multilateral Environment Agreements. This is the year when we have the obligation to completely phase out production and consumption of one of the most widely used substance, CFCs. a. CFC, CTC and Halons In Latin America and the Caribbean, cumulative production of CFCs between 1986 and 2000 was equivalent to 5,8% of the cumulative global production and nearly one third of the total production of developing countries during this period. Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina (in decreasing order) have been the only producers in the region. The four mentioned countries have shut down their CFC production. Consumption of these controlled substances has also been decreasing in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Graph 1: Evolución del Consumo de los CFC, TCC y Halones en América Latina y El Caribe Toneladas PAO 100,000 50,000 0 Línea de Base Consumo Regional Note 1: In this graph, it is necessary to use the correction factor and express ODP consumption tonnes because data of different type of substances were added. The regional consumption start point of CFC, CTC and Halons was 73,830 ODP tonnes 3 in year 1989 and in year 2005 the region had reduced the consumption of such substances to less than 10 thousand ODP tonnes, with which the expected reduction goal was overcome according to the Montreal Protocol. 3 ODP tonnes are equivalent to metric tonnes multiplied by the Ozone Depletion Potential, which is a factor established in a comparative way between the different controlled substances 2

3 In year 2007, the CFC consumption reduction goal was also attained as established under the Montreal Protocol, having reached a total consumption of 1650 tonnes. By the end of present year 2010, countries of the region should be capable of maintain CFC zero consumption level, which is expected to be efficiently complied with given the aforementioned background. This success is highly satisfactory, but there is much left to do regarding other substances such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and methyl bromide, which are also damaging substances for the ozone layer. b. Methyl Bromide In some countries of the Latin America and Caribbean region, the Methyl Bromide use if of utmost importance for agriculture. In this case, the regional situation is not so encouraging due that technical and commercial difficulties have arisen for the sustained substitution. Graph 2: Evolución del Consumo del Bromuro de Metilo en América Latina y El Caribe Toneladas métricas 10,000 5, Consumo Regional Línea de base Note 2: Methyl Bromide Ozone Depletion Potential is 0.55 with respect to the assigned value for CFCs that have been taken as reference, that is, they have been assigned a value of Methyl Bromide regional consumption tripled between 1991 and 1994 having reached a maximum value of 8500 metric tonnes, although after this initial period said consumption has gradually decreased. Consequently, in years 2005 and 2007 consumption levels were reduced to 5276 and 4136 metric tonnes, respectively, for which there was continuation with the CFC trend of overcoming the reduction goals provided by the Montreal Protocol. The complete reduction of Methyl Bromide use was agreed for year 2005 and for the year of which there is gathered data for all countries, the regional consumption is of nearly 3400 metric tonnes. c. HCFC HCFC consumption in developed countries had decreased 72% with respect to the baseline in year 2005, while future consumption reductions are expected to continue at a much slower pace during the next years. Regarding consumption in developing countries, it reached about 20 thousand ODP tonnes in 2005 and recent studies indicate that this number could have increased double-fold by year 2015 if no adjustment would have existed as agreed in year Current trends of HCFC uses must be reverted to comply with the adjustments agreed in the 19th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The decision anticipates one decade the HCFC production and consumption phase out 3

4 for all the Parties. Likewise, it controls the level of production and consumption from which developing countries must start their reductions, respects the deadlines necessary for the introduction of alternatives and fosters for said refrigerants not be replaced with high global warming potential substances or with other environmental risks. Some statistics indicate that anticipated HCFC phase out could result in reductions between 18 and 25 billion equivalent carbon dioxide tonnes of emissions. Annually, this represents a cut of or higher than 3.5% of all global greenhouse gases emissions. Unmistakably, Montreal Protocol s commitments for an anticipated HCFC phase out have the double purpose of addressing climate change and ozone depletion. Graph 3: 6000 Evolución del consumo de los HCFC en América Latina y El Caribe 4000 Toneladas PAO Consumo Regional 2008 Note 3: HCFCs have been used as transition replacement substances for CFCs, for this reason the growth pace of HCFC consumption has gone along the respective CFC decrease. HCFC baseline will be established based on the consumption average. 6. Actions that we all can start. The next two years are crucial for preparing and starting with the application of the National HCFC Phase out Management Plan in all developing countries, through which the foundations will be laid for attaining the gradual reduction of HCFC consumption and production as from The following are specially highlighted: The need to establish and modify promptly the laws and decrees that establish the CFC licensing systems as to include also HCFC importation controls. Manufacturing industries that consume HCFC should change the production systems to alternative technologies, particularly for low-global Warming Potential (GWP) options. The owners of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment should avoid acquiring new equipment based on HCFC to reduce future demands of these substances, and consider the economic feasibility of replacing their current equipment for new equipment with high energy efficiency and that use refrigerants that do not deplete the ozone layer or have high GWP. Consumers should select products and equipment that do not have or have had HCFCs used for their manufacturing, particularly in electrical appliances or in construction thermal insulation. 7. Situation of the Ozone Layer During the months from September to December each year, the phenomenon called Ozone Layer Hole appears on the Antarctic territory. This problem begins with the arrival of the austral spring to recompose when warm air coming from other regions penetrates the polar vortex. (The polar vortex is a region that flows around the Antarctic, with high speed of stratospheric winds and which gas mass does not mix with those outside until late spring). 4

5 The total size of ozone loss in the current year, as in previous cases, depends of the meteorological conditions prevailing in the stratosphere, particularly during September and October. This phenomenon will continue while the atmosphere continues having chloride and bromide excesses coming from chemical substances emissions of anthropogenic origin. It is worth noting that this is a dynamic phenomenon, that it varies daily and that it is strongly affected by the meteorological conditions therein. The meteorological conditions in the Antarctic stratosphere from late July to early August of each year, determine the ozone losses. A key factor in the destruction of the ozone layer is the atmosphere s temperature, since if it is sufficiently cold, polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) will form (containing small crystals) that facilitates the ozone depletion reaction with the arrival of the first sunlight. On this regard it can be said that this year s atmospheric temperature was sufficiently low for these polar stratospheric clouds to form. Until mid July 2010, the minimum temperatures were below the longterm average. Since then the minimum temperature has been oscillating around the long-term average. The average temperature over the S region were close to or below the long-term mean until the middle of July. A sudden stratospheric warming that started around mid July and lasted until early August pushed the cold air away from the pole. The cold air mass was less cold than at the same time in This warming event caused a temperature increase of more than 20 K, culminating on 31 July. Since the onset of such low temperatures on 8 May the area with temperatures low enough to form polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) was above or oscillating around the average until mid July. This area reached a peak of 26 million km 2 on 14 July. Then the sudden stratospheric warming event caused the area to drop to around 18 million km 2 over the course of the next two weeks and reaching the long term ( ) low on some days. During August the area has remained well below the long-term average, although it has increased somewhat. The geographical extent of the south polar vortex has been higher than the average on almost every day since early April. It should be pointed out, however, that vortex size gives no direct indication of the degree of ozone loss that might occur later in the season. At the altitude of 18 km the vortex is now almost entirely depleted of hydrochloric acid (HCl), one of the reservoir gases that can be transformed to active chlorine. The area affected by HCl removal is relatively small in comparison to recent years. In the sunlit collar along the vortex edge there is now up to 1.5 ppbv of active chlorine (chlorine monoxide, ClO), and ozone depletion has just started. The mixing ratio of ClO is lower than at the same date in recent years (back to 2004). Satellite observations show that the area where total ozone is less than 220 DU ( ozone hole area ) is low compared to recent years. However, the onset of ozone depletion varies considerably from one year to the next, depending on the position of the polar vortex and availability of daylight after the polar night. As the sun returns to Antarctica after the polar night, it is expected that ozone destruction will speed up. It is still too early to give a definitive statement about the development of this year's ozone hole and the degree of ozone loss that will occur. This will, to a large extent, depend on the meteorological conditions. However, the drop in the occurrence of polar stratospheric clouds since the middle of July and the comparatively small mixing ratios of chlorine monoxide point towards a relatively small ozone hole in The largest extension registered of the ozone layer hole on the Antarctic was in year 2006, when due to a especially cold Winter, it extended on a surface of 29,5 million square kilometers, with an ozone loss valuated in 40 million tonnes. 5

6 8. Historic registers from the ozone layer hole A summary with the data daily observed in the Southern hemisphere during the months of September and October of the last 20 years is presented below, wherein the average observed area and minimum detected concentration are highlighted. INFORMATION SOURCE: Year Average area of ozone layer (million km2) Minimum concentration (Dobson units) UNEP s OznoAction Team will continue following up on the information provided by the World Meteorological Organization and from NASA, based on which it will be produced an update of the present report by End of September This article was prepared by UNEP s OzonAction Programme, on September 15 th 2010; it is not an official document. UNEP is not liable for the accuracy or scope of the same. For more information, please contact the Regional Coordinator of the OzonAction Networks. Mirian Vega: mirian.vega@unep.org 4 World Meteorological Organization, 6