UNEP HONOURS THOSE WHO HAVE MADE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROTECTION OF OZONE LAYER
Press Release
HE/920
UNEP HONOURS THOSE WHO HAVE MADE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROTECTION OF OZONE LAYER
19951130 NAIROBI, 29 November 1995 (UNEP) -- On 4 December, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will honour several people and organizations whose outstanding contributions have assisted the international community in its successful efforts to protect the ozone layer. The award ceremony will take place during the Seventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, in Vienna.The 1985 Vienna Convention was agreed to by governments after scientific evidence had shown that certain man-made chemicals, widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, foams, aerosols and fire-fighting, posed a potentially serious and long-lasting threat to human health and the environment through the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. The Convention was greatly strengthened in 1987 by the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The Montreal Protocol has been recognized as an outstanding example of international cooperation to solve global environmental problems. In accordance with the agreement, which was again strengthened in 1990 and in 1992, the production and use of many of the ozone-depleting chemicals will be phased out by the end of 1995 in the industrialized countries. The developing countries have a 10-year grace period and also get financial help to meet their obligations through the Multilateral Ozone Fund. To date, about $365 million has been dispersed through the Fund.
The ozone layer, 15 to 50 kilometres above the Earth, is a fragile shield which protects the planet from harmful UV-B radiation. Excess UV-B radiation has been shown to increase the incidence of skin cancer and eye cataracts, reduce human immunity, affect plant productivity and damage plastics. Theories of scientists in the 1970s of a potential threat to the ozone layer have been substantiated by extensive research of hundreds of scientists from around the world. In their assessment report of 1994, scientists reported observations demonstrating the success of the Montreal Protocol; the rate of increase of the ozone depleting substances has declined, or in some cases has been reversed.
The success of the global community in tackling the problem of ozone depletion has been ascribed to the scientists, technologists, environmental non-governmental organizations, policy makers, industry, and UNEP, which has striven unceasingly towards a global consensus to protect the ozone layer.
"The hundreds of men and women who have helped humanity recognize and solve a clear global environmental danger deserve our thanks; but the few honoured by UNEP have made truly outstanding contributions", said Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Executive Director of UNEP.
The individuals honoured include the winners of the 1995 Nobel Prize for Chemistry: Paul Crutzen from the Netherlands, and Mario Molina and Sherwood Rowland of the United States.
Others honoured are: Joe Farman, United Kingdom; Daniel L. Albritton, United States; Robert T. Watson, United States; Manfred Tevini, Germany; Jan C. van der Leun, Netherlands; Rumen D. Bojkov, Canada/Bulgaria; Stephen O. Andersen, United States; Gary M. Taylor, Canada; G. Victor Buxton, Canada; Eileen Clausen, United States; Tang Meng Leng, Malaysia; Juan Antonio Mateos, Mexico; John Whitelaw, Australia; and Patrick Szell, United Kingdom.
The organizations honoured are: Friends of the Earth -- Canada, The Japanese Electrical Manufacturers Association and the International Alternative Fluorocarbons Environmental Acceptability Study and Programme for Alternative Fluorocarbon Toxicity Testing.
The current Montreal Protocol meeting in Vienna includes a four-day preparatory meeting (28 November to 1 December), the ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the Vienna Convention (4 December) and a three-day Meeting of the Parties at the ministerial level (5-7 December). About 500 participants are expected, including representatives from States Parties and observers from non-party States, industry and environmental non- governmental organizations.
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