Photo: CAMS/COPERNICUS/ECMWF

Environment24. September 2019

Ban of Chemicals Worked: Ozone Hole Smallest Since Its Discovery

The Antarctic ozone hole is decreasing in size and has reached more than half of its usual area this time of year, as it slowly recovers to its pre-1980 state.

The ozone in earth’s atmosphere blocks the UV rays of the sun. If the ozone layer is thinner, people, animals, plants and ecosystems are harmed.

The existence of the ozone hole was announced in the mid-eighties, after which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was set up to eventually ban all but the necessary chemical substances causing the ozone destruction. The substances are commonly found in everyday items such as sprays, sterilisers, air conditioners, and refrigerators.

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides information on the status of the ozone layer – which protects life on Earth from harmful radiation – and chemicals in the atmosphere, in expectation to see a return in the Antarctic ozone levels to pre-1980 by 2060.

“The ozone hole has been stabilising over the last few days, but our forecasts show it will remain small this week and we expect that this year’s ozone hole will be one of the smallest holes that we’ve seen since the mid-eighties,” says Antje Inness, CAMS Senior Scientist.

Source:
Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service

:::::: Related Articles

Back to top button