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Saving the Ozone Layer

Saving the Ozone Layer. Science and the Evolution of Precautionary Action. Agenda Setting. CFCs: the “miracle compound” Non-toxic, chemically inert, many uses Few makers (DuPont is #1) Stratospheric ozone O 3 absorbs UV-radiation, which causes skin cancer, cataracts, phytoplankton death…

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Saving the Ozone Layer

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  1. Saving the Ozone Layer Science and the Evolution of Precautionary Action

  2. Agenda Setting • CFCs: the “miracle compound” • Non-toxic, chemically inert, many uses • Few makers (DuPont is #1) • Stratospheric ozone • O3 absorbs UV-radiation, which causes skin cancer, cataracts, phytoplankton death… • 1974 discovery: CFCs destroy ozone • 1978: U.S., Canada, Nordic aerosol ban • 1977-85: fact-finding, little action

  3. Science in the Ozone Negotiations • Vienna Convention (1985) • Antarctic ozone hole (1986) • Not predicted by models • Cause unknown; CFCs suspected • Negotiators advised to ignore it • Models predicted 7% ozone loss by 2050 • Montreal Protocol (1987) • U.S. vs. E.U.; virtually no DC participation • IC’s to cut CFCs in half by 2000 • DC’s can increase CFC use for 10 years

  4. How did the ozone hole have an effect? • Not predicted by models, opened door to knew way of framing the knowledge • “Chlorine-loading” scheme • Emerged when chlorine concentrations reached 2 ppb • Stabilizing Cl required 85% reduction • U.S. position: 95% cutback • Montreal Protocol was not enough

  5. Beyond Montreal • Amendments: 2/3 vote, majority of IC’s & DC’s • Binding on dissenters: sovereignty? • 1988: New Science • Arctic “hole” • Antarctic hole linked to CFCs • Global ozone losses • 1990s: CFC substitutes & Multilateral Fund • Necessity for DC participation • India & China to consume 1/3 CFCs by 2008 • Grand bargain: participation for development aid

  6. Amending Montreal • London, 1990: CFC phaseout by 2000 • Plus carbon tetrachloride & methyl chloroform • Multilateral ozone fund ($1 B since) • Copenhagen, 1992: phaseout by 1996 • Phase out HCFCs by 2030 • Bangkok, 1993: phase out methyl bromide • Montreal, 1997: ban MB by 2005 (IC’s) • Beijing, 1999: HCFC freeze @ 1989 levels • IC’s ban by 2004; DC’s by 2016 • Compliance, black market

  7. Relationship & contrast to climate change • Scientists increasingly outspoken • Small, concentrated industry vs. the glue of the global economy • Availability of profitable substitutes • Science-led protocol amendment process • Norms of universal participation and “common but differentiated responsibility” • U.S. demands “universal participation” on climate change

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