CFC is the short form for ‘chlorofluorocarbon.’ In essence, CFC is a chemical compound that is manufactured from carbon, chlorine and fluorine elements. Refrigerators use CFCs since they exhibit properties of an ideal gas hence make typical refrigerants. CFCs are also used in aerosols. However, in as much as CFCs have apparent beneficial applications, they cause grievous harm to the Ozone Layer. The essay explores the pros and cons of the use by the third world countries of the CFCs sold by first world countries. The essay delves much into whether the damage to the ozone layer is enough reason to ban the manufacturing and sale of CFCs or not. Also, the essay gives as many reasons as possible as to why first world countries should continue the sale of CFCs to third world countries and equally as many reasons as possible as to why the first world countries should not sale CFCs to the third world countries.
Just about forty years back, scientists made an astonishing discovery to the effect that the weak and vulnerable ozone layer that usually shelters the planet from the malevolent ultraviolet radiation from the sun was under vicious and sustained attack from the CFCs. At once, the world faced the ugly reality of subjecting many of millions of people to scary diseases such as eye cataracts, skin cancer, and immune system disorders. Indeed, no one questioned the urgent need to protect the ozone layer. The subject became top on the agenda of many governments around the world. Lobbyists of environmental conservation, private citizens, and non-governmental organizations thronged the United Nations, Congress, Capitol Hill, and just about anywhere their voice could be heard. The world could not live with widespread disruption of food supply more so in the developing and third world.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The world unanimously, through the London Agreement of 1990, arguably saved the ozone layer. The agreement was a call to make amendments to the Montreal Protocol. Among other components of the agreement was the phasing out of the production of all CFCs, rescuing the ozone layer and consequently saving millions of lives around the world.
The 1990 London Agreement started way back in 1974 with Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina discovering that CFCs released from aerosols has the potential of penetrating the stratosphere. In the stratosphere, the powerful rays of the sun destroy the CFCs into particles that react with the ozone layer causing its destruction. Consequently, the harmful rays from the sun reach the earth with ease once the ozone is destroyed (Swedin, 2005). Rowland and Molina received much acclaim for their discovery. Indeed, they were the deserved recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in Chemistry on a later date. However, the invention caused heightened panic around the world as many people abandoned using products with traits of CFCs. The worst hit companies were those in the manufacture of the CFC aerosol sprays as they experienced a huge drop in sales.
The history of CFCs and their recorded havoc on the ozone layer presents a strong case against their use by the third world countries. The First world countries should not sale CFCs to the third world countries. It is arguable that any slight change in the global food supply hits typically the third world countries the hardest. It is on this evidence that such countries should not use CFCs. Most of the least developed countries are found in the sunny continents. Therefore, the least developed countries should not use products that are known to harm the ozone layer since they will be vulnerable to harmful rays from the sun (Perry,1986). When the ice in arctic melts due to the changes in the destruction of the ozone layer and thus increased heating of the ice, the countries in the third world will be the first hit with bouts of floods since they are mostly found in low lying altitudes. This is among the reasons why countries in the third world should not buy CFCs manufactured from the first world countries.
If the third world countries must use some of the CFC products, then they are better off manufacturing the products by themselves rather than relying on the imports from the first world countries. The manufacturing of the CFCs would boost their respective local economies. However, the third world countries have enough environmental problems, and they should not exacerbate the situation by importing CFCs from first world countries.
It is evident that CFCs pose a huge threat to the environment and the most vulnerable countries are those in the third world. However, CFC and related products represent a huge industrial base in the global economy. Companies manufacturing CFC products such as aerosol sprays employ thousands of people and pay millions of money in tax lone to different and relevant governments around the world. It is unsurprising that soon after the 1974 lows in the production of CFCs, the industry rebounded almost immediately (Nemerow et al., 2009). The industry has since confronted many obstacles and challenges but it still employs many people, and third world countries provide an alternative market to the CFC products. Third world countries should continue buying CFC from the first world countries to support their related local economies such as refrigeration. Many third world countries rely on CFCs to tame pastes and hence increase and sustain their agricultural produce. The fading ozone layer cannot entirely be attributed to the CFCs, and it is arguable that the atmosphere has ‘self-healing’ mechanisms that help in replacing and refurbishing the destroyed parts of the ozone layer.
If the third world countries must use some of the CFC products, then they are better off manufacturing the products by themselves rather than relying on the imports from the first world countries. The manufacturing of the CFCs would boost their respective local economies. However, the third world countries have enough environmental problems, and they should not exacerbate the situation by importing CFCs from first world countries.
It is evident that CFCs pose a huge threat to the environment and the most vulnerable countries are those in the third world. However, CFC and related products represent a huge industrial base in the global economy. Companies manufacturing CFC products such as aerosol sprays employ thousands of people and pay millions of money in tax lone to different and relevant governments around the world. It is unsurprising that soon after the 1974 lows in the production of CFCs, the industry rebounded almost immediately (Nemerow et al., 2009). The industry has since confronted many obstacles and challenges but it still employs many people, and third world countries provide an alternative market to the CFC products. Third world countries should continue buying CFC from the first world countries to support their related local economies such as refrigeration. Many third world countries rely on CFCs to tame pastes and hence increase and sustain their agricultural produce. The fading ozone layer cannot entirely be attributed to the CFCs, and it is arguable that the atmosphere has ‘self-healing’ mechanisms that help in replacing and refurbishing the destroyed parts of the ozone layer.
References
Nemerow, N. L., Agardy, F. J., Sullivan, P., & Salvato, J. A. (2009). Environmental engineering . Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.
Perry, A. M.. (1986). Environmental effects of chlorofluorocarbons: Will restrictions be needed? . Oak Ridge, Tenn: Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Swedin, E. G. (2005). Science in the contemporary world: An encyclopedia . Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.
