2017 News & Events

Saturday, September 16^th is World Ozone Day 2017, or International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

September also marks the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, which has successfully acted to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the use and atmospheric release of certain synthetic gases (e.g. chlorofluorocarbons and halons). NOAA ESRL CSD, and formerly the Aeronomy Laboratory, has played an important sustained role in advancing the science of ozone depletion and communicating the science to the Montreal Protocol. CSD Director David Fahey is currently a co-chair of the Montreal Protocol Scientific Assessment Panel which is leading the production of the 2018 Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion for the Protocol.

The Montreal Protocol expanded its mission by becoming a climate protocol last year with the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to phase down the global use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs) gases. HFCs do not destroy ozone but are powerful greenhouse gases.

There will be a symposium in Paris, France on 19-20 September 2017 to honor the 30th anniversary. CSD program leads Jim Burkholder and Karen Rosenlof will make presentations. The symposium will be streamed live and later archived on YouTube.

The Executive Secretary of the UNEP Ozone Secretariat, Dr. Tina Birmpili, released the promotional campaign Ozone Heroes to inspire all people to protect life on Earth. It is a collaboration with Marvel comics. Check it out and forward to the young people in your circle. CSD hosted Dr. Tina Birmpili this past Spring, and she delivered a seminar on the Science, Policy and Diplomacy of the Kigali Amendment.