The Sierra Club supports such limitations on human activities as may be necessary to protect the stratospheric ozone layer, which shields life on the surface of the Earth from excessive solar ultraviolet radiation. The Sierra Club supports basic atmospheric research and continued assessment of relevant human activities in order to determine whether those activities will change the ozone concentration in the upper atmosphere. The Sierra Club supports a moratorium on the deployment of new technologies which could damage the stratospheric ozone layer (e.g., the SST).
The Sierra Club supports a phase-out of those existing technologies which are known or are likely to affect adversely the stratospheric ozone layer. With respect to the use of chlorofluoromethanes (chlorofluorocarbons, commonly called freons or CFCs), non-essential uses, such as in aerosol spray cans, should be phased out expeditiously within a two-year minimum period unless the preponderance of scientific evidence shows that these substances pose no significant present or future risk to public health and safety or to the environment. More essential uses, such as for refrigeration purposes, should be phased out as soon as environmentally acceptable substitutes become available, unless the preponderance of scientific evidence demonstrates that these pose no significant present or future risk to public health and safety or to the environment.
Adopted by the Board of Directors, August 30-September 1, 1975