ISSUE # 4:
METHYL BROMIDE BAN TO PREVENT OZONE DEPLETION?
Charles E. Ophardt c. 1998
DEBATE QUESTION:
Should the United States take a leading role in banning the production
and use of methyl bromide because it is an ozone depleting chemical?
Issue 4 Introduction
Debate Question
Internet Resource Sites
In 1987, an international agreement known as the Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed by many nations. The
Protocol required the that CFC production would be reduced to one-half of
the 1986 levels by 1998. Based upon a growing understanding of the cause
of the ozone hole and the potential for global ozone depletion, approximately
100 nations in 1990, agreed to a complete ban on the use of CFCs in 2000.
Subsequently, in 1992, President George Bush ordered the complete halt to
CFC production in the United States after December 31, 1995.
Debate on Future Restrictions of Ozone Depleting Chemicals
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
UNEP Supplement to the 1994 Assessments
"4. Summary
This synthesis report examines the scientific, technical, and economic implications
for a range of scenarios of possible action that could be considered by
the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The report highlights that, from the
scientific perspective of reducing the risks of future ozone depletion,
key steps that the Parties may want to consider include:
* Insuring full compliance with the Montreal Protocol as amended in Copenhagen;
* Actions to reduce production and consumption of methyl bromide
in non-Article 5(1) countries.
* Actions to collect and destroy existing CFC and halon stocks; and
* Actions to limit future growth in HCFCs and methyl bromide
in Article 5(1) countries."
DEBATE QUESTION:
Should the United States take a leading role in banning the production
and use of methyl bromide because it is an ozone depleting chemical?
The instructor will divide the students into "YES" and "NO"
groups for the purposes of debate.
MON. LAB |
TUES. LAB |
| NO: Students A-L | NO: Students A- P |
| YES: Students M-W | YES: Students R-S |
EPA methyl bromide
home page
Business as
Usual for Methyl Bromide
ARS Methyl bromide Reasearch
and Althernatives
Sites that support the continued use of Methyl Bromide
Methyl bromide use in Forestry - look to about the middle of the page
Soil microbes eat methyl
bromide, therefore not as much to react with ozone
Alternatives
to Methyl Bromide: Skip down to Introduction for reasons not to ban
methyl Br
Methyl bromide
Phaseout Site - many links
DEBATE QUESTION:
Should the United States take a leading role in banning the production
and use of methyl bromide because it is an ozone depleting chemical?