Protecting the ozone layer - Tireless efforts

Vietnam has achieved remarkable results in gradually restricting the use of ozone depleting substances.

In 1995, two American scientists, Mario Molina and Sherwood Rowland, together with Paul Crutzen, a Dutch scientist, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on CFCs that is eroding the ozone layer.

Professor Paul Crutzen pointed out that the ability of nitrogen oxides from fertilizers and supersonic aircraft to penetrate the ozone layer in 1970. The discovery of the Dutch scientist is a premise for the research work on ozone layer-causing agents are carried out around the world, years later. In 1974, Frank Sherwood Rowland and Mario J. Molina realized that CFCs, like other gases, were highly effective catalysts when breaking ozone molecules.

Ozone layer hole

The first ozone layer discovered by scientists in Antarctica, Farman, Gardiner, and Shanklin in 1987 shocked the public opinion, raising profound concerns about the environment and human health. . That is also the reason for the Montreal Protocol in 1987, which represents a global commitment to protecting the ozone layer. In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared that every September 16 was the international day of protection of the ozone layer to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), ozone layer is still being punctured. The size of this ozone layer hole this year on Antarctica may be equivalent to the two major gaps recorded in 2000 and 2003. Currently, the ozone hole above Antarctica is about 27 million square kilometers and it can be increased to 28 million km2, which is close to the area of ​​the largest ozone hole measured in 2003 (29 million square kilometers).

Montreal Protocol - ' Lifesaver ' for the ozone layer

The Montreal Protocol was created to limit and ultimately stop the use and production of carbon and chlorine compounds (CFC - chlorofluorocacbons) as well as other ozone depleting chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride, bromine compounds (halon) and methylchloroform to protect the atmosphere function to filter sunlight, prevent harmful ultraviolet radiation from falling, protect life on earth.

The Montreal Protocol is considered the most successful international environmental treaty ever, with the consent and participation of 100% of the countries in the world. In addition, the Protocol is supported by all industries, industrial corporations and global people.

Chemical reactions degrade the ozone layer

According to estimates by scientists, since January 1, 2010, about 1.5 billion tons of CFC, halon and CTC ozone layer depleting substances will be completely eliminated in the world, reducing emissions. Approximately 25 billion tons of CO2 equivalent, which plays an important part in combating climate change (ozone depleting substances are also greenhouse gases that cause global warming thousands of times higher than CO2 ).

Without the Montreal Protocol, our atmosphere must absorb twice as much greenhouse gas today, according to scientists. In addition, the Montreal Protocol also helped the world avoid tens of millions of skin cancer cases, saving about $ 4,200 billion in health care costs between 1990 and 2065.

Vietnam and efforts to protect the ozone layer

Vietnam officially ratified the Montreal Protocol in January 1994. Thanks to the Government's decisive policies, the efforts of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and related agencies, the participation of enterprises, the In support of consumers and international financial support, Vietnam has achieved remarkable results in gradually restricting the use of ozone depleting substances.

A product harmful to the ozone layer

In the 1990s, Vietnam consumed about 500 tons of CFC, 4 tons of holon and nearly 400 tons of methyl bromide - substances that cause ozone depletion each year. But thanks to the reduction efforts, over 200 tons of CFC 12 (accounting for nearly half of the total CFC used in the country) has been excluded and so far there are no businesses in Vietnam using CFC in cosmetics production.

The cooling and air conditioning sector also achieved positive results with an average annual reduction of 3.6 tons of CFC 11 in the textile industry, 5.8 tons of CFC 12 in the use of automotive air conditioners. and 40 tons of CFC in commercial and household chillers.

In 2009, Vietnam only imported 10 tons of R-12 (CFC ozone depleting substance) and starting from January 1, 2010 all CFC group substances will be banned from importing into Vietnam.