Science and Diplomacy

rom “Science and Diplomacy: Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer” by K. MadhavaSarma and Stephen O. Andersen

“The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is the most successful environmental agreement ever, and the Antarctic Treaty was a research platform for the science that was instrumental in protecting the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol is the only international agreement with participation of all 196 countries of the world, and it is the only environmental agreement to be on track to achieve all of its goals. The foundation of its success is science and technology, including the science discovered in Antarctica. Collaboration has been established between scientists, governments, NGOs, media, and UN organizations: science leading to understanding, understanding leading to policy, policy leading to implementation, and implementation leading to global environmental protection. If there were no Montreal Protocol, stratospheric ozone would have decreased by two-thirds, ultimately resulting in death and disability from tens of millions of cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and suppression of the human immune system, and would have irreparably damaged agriculture and ecosystems, which would have resulted in even more misery.”

Watch the video “The Antarctic Ozone Hole: From Discovery to Recovery, A Scientific Journey: 

To understand the process of how science was able to successfully inform policy, read the article “Science and Diplomacy: Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer“

After watching the video and reading the Science and Diplomacy article, complete the worksheet on the Montreal Protocol below. Your answers must be recorded in the worksheet and submitted to appropriate folder on D2L Assignments.

Science and Diplomacy: Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

Read the article “Science and Diplomacy: Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer” that can be found on our course Content for this week and also at http://www.atsummit50.org/media/book-17.pdf .

Was the Montreal Protocol a success?

What was the impact of the Montreal Protocol on industry?

Using the Montreal Protocol as an example, evaluate how scientific knowledge informs policies and regulations.

What outdoor air pollution challenges exist in your region? Explore one of the EPA websites that lets you browse information on the air you breathe: www.airnow.gov , www.epa.gov/aircompare , or www.epa.gov/air/emissions/where.htm AND https://waqi.info/

How does your region’s air quality compare to the rest of the world?

What factors influence the quality of your region’s air?

Propose three steps for reducing air pollution in the world.

What benefits might your region enjoy after taking such steps?