In the late 1970s, scientists first discovered a hole in the ozone layer, which they eventually linked to ozone-depleting substances. These gases are utilised in refrigeration and air conditioning, two cooling processes.

How would the situation be without Ozone Protection?

Although a full-blown crisis was avoided thanks to the Montreal Protocol, the situation is still out of control. According to a study from Lancaster University researchers published in Nature last year, things would have been really bad without ozone protection.

A 0.5 to 1°C temperature increase would have caused the Earth to practically roast by the end of this century. Climate change will have the advantage it needs to wipe out all life on Earth if the ozone layer is not protected from further deterioration. Without protection from UV light, plants would not be able to absorb carbon dioxide, which would accelerate climate change. Without the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer would have disappeared by 2040, claims the study.

By the middle of this century, the ozone layer is predicted to return to its pre-1980 levels. Greenhouse gases, methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and chemical families of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons all contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer (HFCs).

Wildfires causing harm to the layer

While it seems that the ozone layer is on its way to recovery, according to a new study, smoke from intense wild fires that raged across southeastern Australia in 2019–20 caused atmospheric temperatures to spike and probably made the hole in the ozone layer bigger.

Intense bush fires that burned more than 5.8 million hectares in 2019 were caused by an extreme drought. The flames produced plumes of smoke that soared into the atmosphere and raised lower stratospheric temperatures across Australia by 3 °C in addition to causing catastrophic destruction. According to the research, which was released on August 25 in Scientific Reports, temperatures in the lower stratosphere increased by 0.7 °C globally. The increase in temperature lasted for around four months.

According to the study, chemical reactions that occurred between the smoke and the ozone in the atmosphere exacerbated the Antarctic Ozone hole and made it bigger. This hole did get repaired eventually after about five months, but persistent wildfires could cause permanent damage to the hole.

Russia Burning off Excessive Gas – Another threat to Ozone Hole

As the tensions between the European Nations and Russia increases, Russia has allegedly been burning off excessive gas, in response to the trade embargo with Europe, causing a significant damage to the environment. According to scientists, while flaring is a much better alternative than releasing methane in the environment which contributes significantly more to global warming, the activity still generates a large amount of black carbon which in turn can lead to soot deposits on arctic ice which could lead to its melting. Not only do the black carbon affect the arctic ice, but it also stay suspended in the stratosphere and absorb solar radiation, warming the surrounding air. These warming temperatures lead to Ozone reduction, and has a potential to cause damage to the Ozone layer in the atmosphere.

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What is the theme for World Ozone Day 2020?

The theme for this year is ‘Ozone for life: 35 years of ozone layer protection’. It’s been 35 years since the landmark Vienna Convention where various entities pledged to work together to protect this precious element. The theme depicts how partnerships and scientifically-tuned action only can solve crises situations.

Why this theme for 2020?

The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it economic recession and health emergencies. It has made all the nations and their leaders aware of just how much we need each other if we are to rid the world of COVID-19. The ozone treaties signed 35 years ago had various international bodies working together harmoniously. This was the only way to protect the ozone, which had started showing signs of damage in the 1970s. The theme is a reminder of the power of collective action in solving global crises, from coronavirus to climate change. The slogan ‘Ozone for life’ implies that ozone is essential not just for all living beings on the planet today but also our descendants.

The UN Environment Programme’s Executive Director, Inger Anderson, put it succinctly when she elaborated in her broadcast message on World Ozone Day 2020 is a reminder for collective action. She talked about the Vienna Convention and the corresponding Montreal Protocol bringing the world together to fix the gaping hole in the ozone layer, which acts as a roof over our heads.

The hole in the ozone would have vastly increased incidences of skin cancer and cataracts in people and caused massive destruction of crops and forests. Governments and corporates worked together with scientists to reduce 99% of ozone-depleting gases from the atmosphere. 35 years down the line, the ozone is healthier and the planet’s beings, safer.

“We need this unity of purpose more than ever, as we seek to address nature loss, climate change and pollution in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the discussions on the replenishment of the multilateral fund,” she said.

The latest development is the Kigali Amendment from 2019, which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gases called HFCs that wreak havoc on the natural ecosystems. World Ozone Day 2020 is a good time to educate yourself on facts about the ozone roof over our heads.

The post World Ozone Day 2020: Protecting the Roof appeared first on The CSR Journal.

According to scientists, the largest the hole became this year was about 7.6 million square miles wide in September. But it was still 1.3 million square miles smaller than last year, scientists said and has shrunk more since September.

The ozone layer is vital to the existence of life on earth. It protects the living organisms from harmful UV radiation from the sun. In 1974, scientists had discovered that this layer was getting thinner. The blame for this was placed on human activities.

Increased use of aerosol cans, fire retardants, refrigerators and other cooling devices released excessive chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere, which was causing depletion of this natural sunscreen of earth.

The hole was observed right above Antarctica. However, it was spreading rapidly, and the fear of earth losing this layer completely became a definite possibility. This left the global community unsettled.

Montreal Protocol

In 1987, 197 countries came together to figure out an action plan to heal the Ozone layer. The leaders of these countries signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, where they agreed to stop using CFCs and other Ozone-depleting chemicals in refrigerators, aerosols and other factory equipment. The countries agreed to stop the use of these chemicals on a mass scale even at the expense of facing a severe economic backlash. The protocol which was spearheaded by the USA and the UK came into force in 1989 and is still active today.

While this is a great piece of news, it does not compensate for the damage that we have been causing to the environment. The improvements observed today can serve as an inspiration for the global community to come together another time and take bold actions to prevent the impending disasters of the future caused by climate change.

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