12 June 2006
The major face-to-face review meeting for the 2006 international ozone layer state of understanding scientific assessment will take place next week, June 19-23, in Les Diablerets, Switzerland.
Background: The 2006 assessment report of the Scientific Assessment Panel of the U.N. Montreal Protocol is currently in preparation. The document, which is updated every four years, informs the over 180 nations that are Parties to the Montreal Protocol and is the scientific information that they consider as they weigh various options for the protection of the stratospheric ozone layer. It is produced under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. The planning of the 2006 assessment began in late 2004 and preparation has been ongoing throughout 2005 and 2006. The report will be published in early spring of 2007.
The review meeting in Les Diablerets involves approximately 80 scientific reviewers from around the world. The report's eight chapters will be reviewed and their major points finalized. In addition, the Executive Summary for the entire document is written and finalized at the meeting in Les Diablerets. It will be released later this summer.
Significance: NOAA has played a leading role in the international ozone assessment throughout the history of the 1987 U.N. Montreal Protocol. Daniel L. Albritton (now retired) has been one of the international Cochairs of the assessment since its inception. NOAA scientists have served as leading authors, coauthors, and reviewers in each of the assessments (1988, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006). In the current assessment, a NOAA scientist (A.R. Ravishankara) is also serving on the Scientific Steering Committee and a NOAA / CIRES scientist (C.A. Ennis) is serving as Coordinating Editor. The document has formed the scientific basis for decisions of the Parties to strengthen the original provisions of the Montreal Protocol to protect the stratospheric ozone layer, which shields the earth surface from harmful levels of solar ultraviolet radiation.