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DPI/NGO Relations invites you to a
Briefing
The Ozone Layer and Climate Change
International Day for the preservation of the
Ozone Layer
(16 September 2009)
on
Thursday, 18 June 2009
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
in
Conference Room 4
Background Information:
The ozone layer refers to the stratospheric layer where
over 90% of the earth's ozone, a naturally occurring gas, resides.
The depletion of the ozone layer is a continuing environmental threat.
According to the NASA Advanced Supercomputing Division (NAS), the
ozone layer absorbs as much as 97-99% of the sun's high frequency
ultraviolet light, which is potentially damaging to life on earth.
Additionally, NAS predicts that every 1% decrease in the earths
ozone shield is projected to increases the amount of UV light exposure
to the lower atmosphere by 2%. Ozone depletion also seriously impacts
biodiversity. Increased ultraviolet light exposure reduces levels
of plankton in the oceans, subsequently diminishing marine life.
It can also have adverse effects on plant growth, potentially reducing
agricultural productivity. The international agreement known as
the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
was established in 1987 in response to the discovery of a ‘hole’
in the ozone layer over Antarctica, and the scientific evidence
that ozone in the stratosphere was being destroyed by chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) and other manmade chemicals. By 2007, the Protocol had phased
out approximately 97% of the consumption and production about 100
chemicals known as “ozone depleting substances” (ODS).
Since many ODS are significant greenhouse gases, and greatly contribute
to heating of the earth’s atmosphere, the Montreal Protocol
has historically played an important role in mitigating climate
change by stopping production and consumption of ODS. The Protocol
contains provisions for regular review of the adequacy of control
measures to prevent ozone depletion. These reviews are based on
assessments of evolving scientific, environmental, technical, and
economic information. The protocol set binding, time-targeted and
measurable commitments for developed and developing countries, and
provided developing countries with financial assistance to meet
their targets. A 2008 OzonAction publication highlighted the success
of the Montreal Protocol in the phasing out of over 96% of all ODS
-especially hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the most widely used
ODS - thus preventing their potentially harmful effects to the climate.
This week’s briefing will highlight important achievements
made to protect the ozone layer and prevent climate change, as well
as what obstacles remain to be addressed by the global community,
particularly at the United Nations Climate Change Conference being
held in Copenhagen, Denmark later this year.
Moderator:
Laura Trevelyan, United Nations Correspondent,
BBC News
Speakers:
Lisa Manley, Director of Sustainability Communications,
The Coca-Cola Company
Durwood Zaelke, President, International Network
for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE)
Jose Pons Pons, Managing Director, Spray Química
Urband Industrial Socco (via Video Conference)
Paul Newman, Programme Coordinator, National Aeronautics
and Space Administration
Rajendra M. Shende, Head, OzonAction Branch, Division
of Technology, Industry and Economics, United Nations Environment
Programme
Special announcement by Kiyotaka Akasaka,
Under-Secretary General, Communications and Public Information
Please note that the NGO DPI Executive Committee will hold
its Annual Meeting directly following the Briefing.
The panel discussion will be followed by a Question and
Answer period.
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