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Mostafa K. Tolba, U.N. environmental official, dies at 93 Mostafa K. Tolba, U.N. environmental official, dies at 93
(35 minutes later)
Mostafa K. Tolba, a U.N. official who was considered the father of the Montreal Protocol, the agreement intended to save the ozone layer that is widely known as part of the world’s most successful environmental treaty, died March 28 in Geneva. He was 93. Mostafa K. Tolba, a U.N. official who was considered the father of the Montreal Protocol, the agreement intended to save the ozone layer that is widely known as part of the world’s most successful environmental treaty, died March 28 in Geneva. He was 93.
Dr. Tolba’s death was announced by Achim Steiner, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Dr. Tolba had been the UNEP executive director for 17 years. Dr. Tolba’s death was announced by Achim Steiner, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Dr. Tolba had been the UNEP executive director for 17 years.
In addition to his groundbreaking work in Montreal, the Egyptian-born Dr. Tolba was praised for his leadership in guiding the Vienna Convention, which preceded it. The Vienna meeting, held in 1985, created the basic international approach to protecting the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, lays out specific actions.In addition to his groundbreaking work in Montreal, the Egyptian-born Dr. Tolba was praised for his leadership in guiding the Vienna Convention, which preceded it. The Vienna meeting, held in 1985, created the basic international approach to protecting the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, lays out specific actions.
The two agreements are often treated together and sometimes interchangeably. In addition to their specific stipulations, they are often regarded as models of international diplomacy, particularly of diplomacy regarding technical matters.The two agreements are often treated together and sometimes interchangeably. In addition to their specific stipulations, they are often regarded as models of international diplomacy, particularly of diplomacy regarding technical matters.
After playing a major part in the establishment of each agreement, Dr. Tolba was credited pioneering the role of the international environmental diplomat. The Vienna achievement has often been expressed in terms of the number of countries subscribing to the convention: 197.After playing a major part in the establishment of each agreement, Dr. Tolba was credited pioneering the role of the international environmental diplomat. The Vienna achievement has often been expressed in terms of the number of countries subscribing to the convention: 197.
The meetings in Vienna and in Montreal were intended as a response to the growing alarm in the 1970s and 1980s over such atmospheric phenomena as the depletion of the ozone layer around the Earth and the expansion of holes in the parts of the layer over the polar regions.The meetings in Vienna and in Montreal were intended as a response to the growing alarm in the 1970s and 1980s over such atmospheric phenomena as the depletion of the ozone layer around the Earth and the expansion of holes in the parts of the layer over the polar regions.
Scientists outlined the mechanism for ozone destruction as a series of chemical reactions involving three constituents: ozone, ultraviolet radiation and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs,) the chemicals used as aerosol propellants and as coolants and refrigerants.Scientists outlined the mechanism for ozone destruction as a series of chemical reactions involving three constituents: ozone, ultraviolet radiation and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs,) the chemicals used as aerosol propellants and as coolants and refrigerants.
Much of the impetus for the international agreements came from recognition of the role of the ozone layer as a shield against powerful ultraviolet radiation streaming from the sun. It was feared that without the protective molecular blanket, skin cancers would occur at higher rates and become more severe.Much of the impetus for the international agreements came from recognition of the role of the ozone layer as a shield against powerful ultraviolet radiation streaming from the sun. It was feared that without the protective molecular blanket, skin cancers would occur at higher rates and become more severe.
At Vienna and Montreal, conferees recognized that financial, scientific and industrial organizations could help find solutions to the problem.At Vienna and Montreal, conferees recognized that financial, scientific and industrial organizations could help find solutions to the problem.
Many people played a part in the formulation and adoption of the treaties, but great credit was accorded to Dr. Tolba. Not only was he trained as a biologist, but he also was regarded as a charismatic figure, steeped in the diplomatic skills required for finding common ground among a diverse array of countries and governments.Many people played a part in the formulation and adoption of the treaties, but great credit was accorded to Dr. Tolba. Not only was he trained as a biologist, but he also was regarded as a charismatic figure, steeped in the diplomatic skills required for finding common ground among a diverse array of countries and governments.
He expressed the need for “appropriate action at all levels of society, from the smallest local communities to the whole community of nations.”He expressed the need for “appropriate action at all levels of society, from the smallest local communities to the whole community of nations.”
In addition to his pioneering contributions to the emerging discipline of environmental diplomacy, Dr. Tolba was known for efforts to strike a balance between scientific aspiration and the economic capabilities of countries in varying stages of development.In addition to his pioneering contributions to the emerging discipline of environmental diplomacy, Dr. Tolba was known for efforts to strike a balance between scientific aspiration and the economic capabilities of countries in varying stages of development.
In the days before the Montreal sessions, Dr. Tolba noted that some nations wished that production of CFCs be capped, others that it be cut. Still others wanted a blend of the two.In the days before the Montreal sessions, Dr. Tolba noted that some nations wished that production of CFCs be capped, others that it be cut. Still others wanted a blend of the two.
In the end, the participants subscribed to a program under which CFC production would not rise above its 1986 levels. Output was to be cut in half by 1999. The agreement was signed Sept. 16, 1987.In the end, the participants subscribed to a program under which CFC production would not rise above its 1986 levels. Output was to be cut in half by 1999. The agreement was signed Sept. 16, 1987.
In recent years, some scientists have observed signs that ozone depletion has been halted. By some calculations, full restoration of atmospheric ozone might be achieved by the middle of the 21st century.In recent years, some scientists have observed signs that ozone depletion has been halted. By some calculations, full restoration of atmospheric ozone might be achieved by the middle of the 21st century.
Mostafa Kamal Tolba was born Dec. 8, 1922, in the Egyptian town of Zifta. He graduated from Cairo University in 1943 and received a doctorate five years later from Imperial College London. Afterward, he set up a school of microbiology at Cairo University.Mostafa Kamal Tolba was born Dec. 8, 1922, in the Egyptian town of Zifta. He graduated from Cairo University in 1943 and received a doctorate five years later from Imperial College London. Afterward, he set up a school of microbiology at Cairo University.
He taught in the 1950s at the University of Baghdad and later was an Egyptian civil servant, including serving as undersecretary of state for higher education. He headed his country’s Olympic Committee in the early 1970s.He taught in the 1950s at the University of Baghdad and later was an Egyptian civil servant, including serving as undersecretary of state for higher education. He headed his country’s Olympic Committee in the early 1970s.
Dr. Tolba was the author of at least four books and 90 scientific papers, and he delivered many speeches and lectures on plant diseases and environmental matters.Dr. Tolba was the author of at least four books and 90 scientific papers, and he delivered many speeches and lectures on plant diseases and environmental matters.
Committed to the idea of “development without destruction,” he headed his country’s delegation to the 1972 Stockholm Conference, at which the United Nations sought to create a worldwide environmental policy. At that meeting, the U.N. Environment Program was launched, with headquarters in Nairobi.Committed to the idea of “development without destruction,” he headed his country’s delegation to the 1972 Stockholm Conference, at which the United Nations sought to create a worldwide environmental policy. At that meeting, the U.N. Environment Program was launched, with headquarters in Nairobi.
By 1973, Dr. Tolba was in Nairobi as deputy director of the program. He was named director in 1975 and held the post for 17 years.By 1973, Dr. Tolba was in Nairobi as deputy director of the program. He was named director in 1975 and held the post for 17 years.
In addition to his work on the ozone treaties, Dr. Tolba was credited with leadership at the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes in 1989 and the 1992 U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity.In addition to his work on the ozone treaties, Dr. Tolba was credited with leadership at the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes in 1989 and the 1992 U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity.
Information about survivors was not immediately available.Information about survivors was not immediately available.
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