RAS question
The Montreal Protocol (1987) deals with:
Correct answer: (C) Phase-out of ozone depleting substances.
The Montreal Protocol of 1987 deals with the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances.
Explanation
The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987 at Montreal, Canada, is the global agreement for protecting the ozone layer by phasing out chemicals that deplete it. The UNEP Ozone Secretariat describes it as covering both production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, which is why the answer is not a general environment treaty but the specific phase-out framework for such substances. It has universal ratification by 197 parties and has helped phase out CFCs and HCFCs. Its later Kigali Amendment in 2016 added the phase-down of HFCs, which were replacements for some ozone-depleting substances but are powerful greenhouse gases.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Space exploration is unrelated because the Montreal Protocol is about protecting the Earth's ozone layer through controls on ozone-depleting chemicals.
- (B) Nuclear disarmament is not the subject of the Montreal Protocol, which addresses ozone-depleting substances rather than weapons or arms control.
- (D) International trade is not the core issue here; the protocol's focus is phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.
Concept
This tests international environmental agreements, especially the ability to match landmark treaties with their environmental objective. It recurs in RAS because ozone depletion, CFCs, HCFCs and treaty-based environmental governance are standard Environment and Ecology themes.