Mending the Ozone Hole: Science, Technology, and Policy

by Arjun Makhijani and Kevin Gurney

Publisher: MIT Press

Year Published: 1995

Pages: 355 pp.

Binding: Hardcover

ISBN: 0262133083

While CFC production has been reduced in many places, the ongoing emissions of chemicals and the production of other long-lived ozone-depleting substances mean a decade will pass before the levels of ozone-depleting chlorine in the earth's atmosphere begin to decline. In this comprehensive overview, Makhijani and Gurney detail the most current knowledge about stratospheric ozone depletion. More than a review of the evolution of the ozone problem, Mending the Ozone Hole provides an objective and stimulating look at current debates surrounding the research, the technology development, and the policy-making aimed at eliminating ozone-depleting substances.

The book begins by clearly delineating the current status of stratospheric ozone loss and its epidemiological and ecological consequences — including DNA damage, effects on the human immune system, skin cancer, the human eye, plant and aquatic life, and potential impacts of persistent severe ozone depletion. It then takes up the many sources of emissions of ozone-depleting compounds and of the alternative technologies that might reasonably replace them. This is followed by an examination of national and international policy development and industry responses, projections on the levels of ozone-depleting chlorine, assessments of various ozone-protection measures, and a consideration of the context in which policy is made. Finally, the research findings are summarized and specific recommendations for protecting the ozone layer are offered.

"This book presents an overview of the stratospheric ozone-depletion problem, including scientific, technological and policy issues. The work is an original and significant contribution to the field in terms of presenting an integrated perspective." – Mario Molina, 1995 Nobel Prize Winner, Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I do not know of any other work with the same breadth and scope." – Ralph J. Cicerone, Professor of Earth Systems, University of California at Irvine

"The most comprehensive overview of the problem of ozone depletion yet available. Packed with information, chiefly about the causes of the problem, with sound recommendations for action. Mending the Ozone Hole should be compulsory reading for politicians. It's technical enough to meet the needs of specialists, but clear enough for the concerned general reader." – New Scientist

Table of Contents

Preface

I. Causes and Consequences of Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

1. The Scientific Understanding of Stratospheric Ozone Loss

2. The Effects of Ozone Depletion

II. Ozone-Depleting Compounds: Sources, Uses, and Alternatives

3. Ozone-Depleting Compounds

4. Goals for Protecting the Ozone Layer

5. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

6. Rigid Foam

7. Solvents

8. Fire Extinguishers

9. Other Uses

10. Ozone-Depleting Compounds with Natural and Anthropogenic Origins

III. Policies and Recommendations

11. The Existing Regulatory Framework

12. Projections of Atmospheric Chlorine and Bromine Concentrations

13. Industry's Response to Ozone Depletion

14. Summary

15. Recommendations

Appendix: Model Details and Results

Notes

References

Index