e environment of other States or area’s beyond their limits of national jurisdiction. The legal regime for transboundary air pollution has been partially successful. Sulfur dioxide emissions in Europe are currently down 40% from their 1980 levels (Thin Blue Line 8). They may be down another 18% by the year 2010.Canada is considered to be the most at risk, because the thinning of the ozone layer has been most noticeable over the Arctic. The thinning of the ozone layer holds serious implications for Canada’s physicians. “Because of its northern location, Canada is one of the countries most at risk from harmful effects of ozone depletion,” said Desautels (Canada’s medical association journal 293). Desautel’s goes on to discuss that Canada has had a 300% increase in the rate of melanoma cancer between 1969 and 1992. In 1997 it is estimated that 61000 Canadians will have developed skin cancer, and 3200 will have melanoma. Ozone depletion is one of the most serious health threats humans have ever faced. The federal government has failed to live up to its own commitments to lead by example in “ greening “ government (Canadian Medical Association Journal 292).Ozone depletion and global warming are in some ways closely related. CFC’s have been identified as “ greenhouse gases”, gases that trap solar heat inside the earth’s atmosphere. Think of a greenhouse with a glass roof and walls, they allow heat in, but it can’t escape. CFC’s are the most potent heat retainers of all greenhouse gases: One CFC molecule has 20,000 times more impact on global temperatures than one molecule of Watson 4carbon dioxide (Thin Blue Line 9). CFC’s are said to be responsible for a fifth of thegreenhouse effect. Ozone depletion and greenhouse is more complicated tha...
