The Montreal Protocol led to steps to fight ozone depletion through banning what substance?

The Montreal Protocol led to steps to fight ozone depletion through banning what substance?

• A. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)
• B. Greenhouse gases
• C. Plastic waste
• D. Pesticides

Answer: (A)

Ozone depletion is driven by chlorine released from certain human-made compounds; when these substances rise to the upper atmosphere and are exposed to UV light, they release chlorine radicals that break apart ozone molecules. The Montreal Protocol tackled this by banning chlorofluorocarbons, the main source of atmospheric chlorine responsible for thinning the ozone layer. By phasing out CFCs, the policy removed the primary cause of ozone loss and allowed the ozone layer to gradually recover over time. Greenhouse gases, while important for climate change, are not the primary culprits in ozone depletion. Plastic waste is a pollution issue, and while some pesticides historically involved ozone-depleting chemicals, the global focus of the Montreal Protocol was specifically on CFCs due to their dominant role in ozone destruction.

Ozone depletion is driven by chlorine released from certain human-made compounds; when these substances rise to the upper atmosphere and are exposed to UV light, they release chlorine radicals that break apart ozone molecules. The Montreal Protocol tackled this by banning chlorofluorocarbons, the main source of atmospheric chlorine responsible for thinning the ozone layer. By phasing out CFCs, the policy removed the primary cause of ozone loss and allowed the ozone layer to gradually recover over time.

Greenhouse gases, while important for climate change, are not the primary culprits in ozone depletion. Plastic waste is a pollution issue, and while some pesticides historically involved ozone-depleting chemicals, the global focus of the Montreal Protocol was specifically on CFCs due to their dominant role in ozone destruction.