The same problem

      

      In the ICIS Chemical Business America’s article “Refrigerant talk heats up”, the author explains the process of replacement of the current refrigerant gases used by industries, in order to take care of the environment by preventing the global warming. The author starts asking if the alternative sources which are used today, will be the next in the regulation list, proposing to us a difficulty that will face the industries that use them. Following that, the author says all developed countries, except China, agree with the process or have replaced hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by adopting the Montreal Protocol. Finally, it is true that the protection of our environment is getting important.

            The environment is one of the most important topics in the current meetings of leaders. They have been talking about how it is possible to change some actual factors, which are damaging the Earth planet. It’s not a secret that in our daily lives we use items that hurt the environment. In this case the article talks about different kinds of dangerous gases. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) is the refrigerant with high global warming and potentially dangerous. The leaders are trying to change it for another less contaminant gas. They compare the HCFCs with other evils less dangerous but still harmful, the chlorofluorocarbons (HFCs). Both of these two gases are equally dangerous for the environment, and it doesn’t matter which one they use, the result will be the same.

            First, there is the Montreal Protocol, which is about the replacement of these two gases, one for the other. They said that the developed countries are in advance with this change and are being quick in this. This is different from countries like China that are main makers of HCFCs, for they economy is not lucrative enough to stop the production of HCFCs. But it seems like the demand for a new less damaging thing is growing and more people are wanting.

In addition, just look at the names of these two gases and think how similar they are. How could one of them be not dangerous when the current one is potentially dangerous? In my opinion if the gas is changed, there is the chance that in a near amount of years the same problem will be born.

Second, there is the European Union, which has applied these changes and taken advantage of passing out the HCFCs in order to protect the environment. But HFCs, the option for the change, is another bad gas! This gas is also considered to have high global warming potential (GWP). Some countries applied taxes or levies in order to control this vent of gases.

Another main point is the mind and thinking of the global population. While China or India keeps growing in the use and production of HCFCc, other countries are trying to avoid it. One really important fact is how the people think about it, because the massive communications media are extremely powerful. Everybody should stop for a minute and think. What I am doing for my planet? I am helping or damaging my own environment? If the minds of the people don’t change, and if they don’t cooperate with the labor of the environmentalist, it will be harder to help the entire globe. What should we do? Stop using the products we know are bad for us and the massive production of it, will have to stop making it, because there are no demand.

In conclusion, the future of the environment will be the same; it doesn’t matter what gases we use. The contamination is imminent and it’ll take more than just changes in gases to make a difference.

 

 

Reference:

Refrigerant talk heats up. (2007, May 28). ICIS Chemical Business America.

Retrieved May 20, 2009, from Lexis Nexis Database.