| Description |
This paper presents an analysis of the policy-making process surrounding stratospheric ozone depletion. Ozone depletion has become one of the most significant environmental issues of our time, however, the policy-making process to combat ozone loss has remained an obscure and complex procedure. In order to make more reasonable and qualified assessments of the appropriate direction for future policy, it is important to understand its history. It is also important to attempt to explain some of the driving forces for ozone policy, and thereby determine what, if any, new policies we can expect in the future. Ozone policy is created and affected by a myriad of different actors, including: the EPA, USDA, NASA, FDA, State Department, Congress, President, industry coalitions, and environmental groups. Each of these actors has a particular reason for behaving in the manner that they do, and each of these behaviors impacts the outcome of policy in different ways. The majority of these actors have found effective ways to frame the .rvailable scientific knowledge in a way that will aid them in accomplishing their policy goals. Several controversial issues have become the focus of the majority of ozone policy debates in recent years. They include: the phase-out of methyl bromide, phase-out of CFCs for essential uses, Multilateral Fund, CFC smuggling, and use of HCFC and HFC alternatives. These issues will certainly guide policy discussions of ozone depletion for many years to come. Many interest groups and Congresional representatives have recently become involved in campaigning for or against these issues. Due to the large amount of money being invested in particular policy directions on some of these issues, we must ensure that the most reasonable policy alternative is adhered to rather than allowing the amount of financial support an issue receives to determine its place on the political agenda. Many suggestions as to how to solve the problem have also been made. This paper analyzes those alternatives to determine their applicability. Technological approaches to stopping ozone depletion have not shown great promise thus far, so clearly a policy approach must be employed to have any significant impact on the problem. Any attempt to prevent ozone depletion through policy must be international, since the sources of ozone loss are not restricted to only one country. Science is still unclear on many aspects of the problem, but we do know which chemical compounds have the capability to deplete the ozone layer. Banning the use of these chemicals must compete with other policy objectives originating from many other sources. Protecting the ozone layer. |
