The Montreal Protocol was signed in the year 1987 committing nations to . (Choose the correct option to fill in the blank)
The Montreal Protocol was signed in the year 1987 committing nations to . (Choose the correct option to fill in the blank)
Options
Correct option: (C) protect ozone layer from depletion incurred due to chlorofluoro carbons.
The Montreal Protocol (1987) is an international treaty under which nations agreed to phase out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances, mainly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark: correctly selects option C.
Hint
Montreal Protocol = ozone layer + CFCs, not global warming or biodiversity.
Quick Oral Answer
The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, committed nations to phase out chlorofluorocarbons in order to protect the ozone layer from depletion.
Analysis & Explanation
Why C is correct
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987 specifically to control and phase out CFCs and related chemicals used in refrigerants, aerosols and solvents, which were destroying the ozone layer and increasing harmful UV radiation reaching the earth.
Why the distractors are wrong
- Option A (biodiversity) describes the objective of treaties like the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), not the Montreal Protocol.
- Option B (global warming) describes the objective of the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and Paris Agreement (2015), which target greenhouse gases like CO2, not CFCs specifically for ozone protection.
- Option D (deforestation) is addressed by forestry-related conventions and programmes like REDD+, not the Montreal Protocol.
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing the Montreal Protocol (ozone/CFCs, 1987) with the Kyoto Protocol (greenhouse gases/global warming, 1997).
- 2Assuming all international environmental treaties target global warming, ignoring that ozone depletion and global warming are distinct environmental problems.
Interesting Facts
The Montreal Protocol (1987) is considered one of the most successful international environmental agreements, having led to the phase-out of over 98% of ozone-depleting substances globally.
The ozone hole over Antarctica, first identified in the 1980s, is gradually shrinking and is projected to fully recover by around 2066 due to sustained implementation of the Protocol.
India ratified the Montreal Protocol in 1992 and has since phased out CFCs used in refrigeration, air conditioning and foam manufacturing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main aim of the Montreal Protocol?
To phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), in order to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.
How is the Montreal Protocol different from the Kyoto Protocol?
The Montreal Protocol (1987) targets ozone-depleting substances like CFCs, while the Kyoto Protocol (1997) targets greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.