Delta Force
Banned
The Montreal Protocol and related ozone treaties are the most successful treaties in history, having achieved universal ratification by the members of the United Nations. Within a few years of the treaty entering into force production of the most potent ozone depleting chemicals was phased out, and there are signs that the ozone layer is beginning to recover. It was later discovered that many of the ozone depleting chemicals are some of the most potent greenhouse gases, which has led to further tightening of the treaties to transition to even more environmentally friendly chemicals.
However, as late as 1986 DuPont and other chemical companies were fighting against regulating ozone depleting chemicals and calling ozone depletion a hoax. There have even been allegations that the United States only pushed for the treaty because DuPont was able to secure patents on more ozone friendly alternative chemicals.
So, what if the Montreal Protocol had gone the way of the Kyoto Protocol, with the United States and/or other major countries deciding not to participate? Perhaps the alternative chemicals are not discovered, or companies somewhere else acquire the patents. What would be the impact on the ozone layer and climate change?
However, as late as 1986 DuPont and other chemical companies were fighting against regulating ozone depleting chemicals and calling ozone depletion a hoax. There have even been allegations that the United States only pushed for the treaty because DuPont was able to secure patents on more ozone friendly alternative chemicals.
So, what if the Montreal Protocol had gone the way of the Kyoto Protocol, with the United States and/or other major countries deciding not to participate? Perhaps the alternative chemicals are not discovered, or companies somewhere else acquire the patents. What would be the impact on the ozone layer and climate change?