News
How much does mass tree planting affect climate change?
Assignment
Carryover the materials from last class.
Slides – Introduction to Treaties and International Agreements – subject to revision
Montreal Protocol
We will next look at the Montreal Protocol, which is the most successful environmental law treaty and the only climate change treaty that the US has ratified. (The 2016 Kigali Amendment made it explicitly a climate change treaty.) The Montreal Protocol was negotiated to protect the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere from being destroyed by the halogenated hydrocarbon compounds used as refrigerants. We are going to start with a short video I recorded on the basic science of ozone. As I mention in the video, there will not be any physical chemistry on the exam.
Ozone Basics – Panopto | Ozone Basics – YouTube | Slides – CFCs and the Ozone Hole
When you have completed the ozone basic video, watch this 5-minute overview of the lead-up to and development of the Montreal Protocol.
The Hole – A film on the Montreal Protocol, narrated by Sir David Attenborough
Then read through these two summaries of the protocol itself. We will review the protocol in class.
UN – About the Montreal Protocol
Summary – Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Slides – Montreal Protocol Review – subject to revision
(We will continue with the Montreal Protocol next class)