Under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, the world agreed to stop producing this ozone-thinning chemical altogether by 2010. There is a notable decrease in the ozone hole now, because if you didn't know it before, the Ozone Layer can heal.
The ozone hole is not a literal gaping hole in the sky. It's actually just a thinning (or ozone-depleting) in certain regions of the ozone layer. Since the layer was largely damaged and thinned, it was termed an 'ozone hole'. You can read more about the problem in the article 'Ozone Depletion' at The EcoClub United.
Numbers & Details (cite this page if you're using this information)
According to the UN's scientists, the ozone layer is repairing itself. The main reason behind its recovery, they say, is the fact that certain chemicals, such as those used in aerosol cans, were phased out in the 1980s. These chemicals largely include CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), that were replaced with HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) to decrease ozone damage and depletion. However, while HFCs are only weak ozone-depleting substances, they are, like CFCs and HCFCs, strong greenhouse gases. If production trends continue, projections show that, by 2050, the amount of global warming by all HFCs could be as large as 20 percent that of carbon dioxide.
Confused?
That's alright. Let's break it down.
Ozone is a gas in the stratosphere, and there is a LOT of that gas up there. It forms a small layer in the atmosphere that prevents the entry of UV or Ultra-Violet rays that are known to cause skin cancer, wrinkling, sunburn, signs of ageing that appear way too early and cataract (affects eye).
UN Environment has made many efforts to curb the use of the problem-causing gas known as CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons (relax, you don't need to memorise the name!) and began zoning them out (oh, the puns) gradually by replacing them with another gas with less impact. Namely: HCFCs or... well, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (I'm sorry). This gas has less environmental impact because it doesn't break down the ozone as much (but still does a bit).
Next, HCFCs will be replaced by HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). Here's the great part - HFCs have an ozone depletion potential (or ODP) of 0! They don't destroy the ozone layer at all!
But... HFCs are strong greenhouse gases. They have the power to trap heat and cause global warming, much like carbon dioxide! If we continue using HFCs, by 2050, it'll create 20% of the trouble that carbon dioxide has created.
A LOT.
These chemicals are found mostly in aerosols, or spray bottles that work using chemicals. So next time you pick a deodorant to spray on, consider the impact you'll cause. They're also used in air conditioners (ACs) and refrigerators, which are harder to avoid using. HFCs are also used for foam blowing, solvent cleaning and in fire extinguishers. All in all, HFCs are not perfect. They don't destroy the ozone but they do leave an impact elsewhere.
But there is good news too! The ozone hole has decreased in size by 15%. We need scientists, environmentalists to come up with new solutions for change.
Who knows? It could be you.
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/science-environment-29150917/ozone-layer-shows-signs-of-recovery-say-scientists
Comments