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Panel Discussion and film on
10th Anniversary of Montreal Protocol
Aparajita Gogoi
Scientists Rowland and Molina discovered in 1974
that the ozone layer is being eaten away by chemicals like
chloroflourocarbons (CFCs). Atmospheric ozone is vital in climate
control. The age old stratospheric ozone layer envelopes the earth
like a shield and deflects the harmful ultra-violet rays. These UV
rays, if they are allowed to infiltrate the ozone layer, will cause
skin cancer, blindness and effect our immune system and
agriculture. It will also have serious effect on the plants and
micro organisms.
Ten years ago, the scientists and statesmen of
the world, convinced by the urgency of the need to curb the growth
of the hole in the ozone layer, signed the Montreal Protocol.
Today, 10 years after the signing of the protocol, it is time to
take stock of where we are and whether the promises made and
understandings reached in Montreal have been honoured or not.
India has also signed the Montreal Protocol and is bound by its
provisions.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Montreal
Protocol, on
September 17, 1997,
Development Alternatives organised a panel discussion of
eminent representatives of the government, industry and the
independent sector. This was followed by a screening of a film on
the ozone layer. British Council, Delhi worked together
with Development Alternatives to make the event a success and
provided their premises for the same. Television Trust for
Environment, a London based organisation played a significant
role by facilitating the acquiring of the film and was represented
by its Deputy Director.
The panel discussion was opened by Michael White
of British Council who spoke about the British interest in the issue
of the ozone and of the pioneering role of the British scientist
Professor Farman on the issue of ozone.
Dr. Ashok Khosla, President, Development
Alternatives, taking into account the diverse audience, gave a
preamble to the discussion by explaining what the ozone layer is and
its importance and the effect that a thinning ozone layer will have
on humankind. He also spoke about the state of international
negotiations on this issue.
This was followed by a talk by Dr. S Satpathy,
Deputy Director, Ozone Cell, Government of India, who spoke about
the activities launched by the government pertaining to the phasing
out of ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) He also stated that the
consumption of ODS in India has remained constant since 1993. He
mentioned certain projects approved and financed by the government
for the industries to facilitate the phasing out of ODS.
This was followed by a presentation by Mr. S.K.
Jain from Confederation of Indian Industries, who spoke about what
the Indian industries are doing vis-à-vis the Montreal Protocol’s
provisions.
Jenny Richards, from Television Trust For
Environment,
London spoke about the role of the media in generating awareness
about issues like the ozone.
The panel discussion was followed by the screening of the film,
AD 2048 : The Ozone Alarm. Set in the fictional future
of AD 2048, the film focuses on the damage human activity and
man-made chemicals are inflicting on the atmosphere and look at what
the world may look like if the depletion of the ozone layer and
global warming continue unabated. TV news bulletins in 2048 report
an appalling thesaurus of disaster stories; epidemics of
‘supertyphus’ spread by rats, plagues of grasshoppers devouring food
crops, and famine relief camps in Europe, and a world body launching
a programme called the “sunwar” to protect life on earth from the
devastating rays of the sun. This film was the winner of the Prix
Italia award. q
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