Our Planet Magazine - United Nations Environment Programme UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

environment for development

View Latest Issue

Français | Español

The magazine of the United Nations Environment Programme

home | about | contact | links | UNEP publications

THE ART OF
DIPLOMACY
Celebrating 20 years of
The Montreal Protocol

September 2007

Table of Contents

The ozone layer at a glance...

a walk through
history - page 4

...charting the history of the ozone layer from its formation 400 million years ago through to the present day, including the protocols adopted to protect it.

Mostafa Tolba,
President of the International Centre for Environment and Development and UNEP’s Executive Director at the time of the negotiation of the Montreal Protocol...

...describes the process that led to the world’s most successful environmental treaty and calls for further action.

lessons learned - page 6

Drusilla Hufford, Director, Global Programme Division, of the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency Liu Yi, General Director of Foreign Economic Cooperation Office of the State Environmental Protection Administration of China and Argentina’s Environment Secretary, Romina Picolotti...

... demonstrate the success of strong leadership in their respective countries.

strong leadership - page 10

Mohamed T. El-Ashry,
Senior Fellow, UN Foundation and CEO and Chairman of the GEF
1991-2003...

...describes the unprecedented compact that is saving the ozone layer and calls for a similar one to combat climate change.

a new compact? - page 14

Prof Mario Molina,
Nobel Prizewinner for Chemistry ...

...describes how climate change is delaying the recovery of the ozone layer, and calls for action.

recovery delayed - page 16

Kalpana Sharma,
a columnist for The Hindu where she was until recently Deputy Editor...

...describes difficulties in phasing out ozone depleting substances in India.

meeting the target - page 18

Danielle Fest Grabiel,
a senior campaigner at the Environmental Investigation Agency...

crucial crossroads - page 20

...argues that the Montreal Protocol must be revitalised to meet new and urgent challenges.

Jamie Choi,
F-gases project leader at Greenpeace, China...

greenfreeze - page 22

...describes the rapid spread of green refrigeration, but says that more remains to be done.

Neneh Cherry,
singer and songwriter...

...believes the world is “beginning to wake up” to environmental challenges.

cherry trees - page 27