The ozone layer is Earth's protective shield, effectively filtering ultraviolet rays and converting them into warm sunlight.
However, once the ozone layer is damaged, Earth will face severe ultraviolet radiation hazards, potentially causing skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system issues.
For decades, people have been concerned about the ozone hole, especially the large hole over Antarctica.
However, in recent years, reports about the ozone hole have significantly decreased. Does this mean the issue has been controlled, or are there other explanations?
1. The causes of ozone hole formation.
The formation of the ozone hole is caused by both human activities and natural factors.
Mainly, human large-scale production and use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), where chlorine elements in these chemicals destroy the ozone layer, leading to a sharp decrease in ozone content in the atmosphere.
The ozone hole began to appear in the early 1950s, with the Antarctic ozone hole expanding to 20 million square kilometers in the 1970s, further enlarging in winter until reaching 24 million square kilometers in November.
There are also ozone holes in the Arctic, although smaller and less stable than those in Antarctica, with less severe impacts.
It wasn’t until 1985 that a British scientist revealed the global ozone hole problem, raising worldwide attention.
In 1987, countries signed the Montreal Protocol, committing to gradually reduce the emission of CFCs, marking a significant milestone in ozone layer protection.
2. The effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol.
The signing of the Montreal Protocol meant global measures would be taken to protect the ozone layer by reducing the use of CFCs to lower emissions.
Since its signing, almost no country has violated this agreement. The emission of CFCs has been decreasing annually since 1987, reducing to one-fifth of 1987 levels by 2019, effectively alleviating the threat to the ozone layer.
With global efforts, the large ozone hole over Antarctica disappeared in 2000, and the Arctic hole disappeared in 2009, indicating that the ozone hole problem has been effectively controlled, and the Earth’s environment has significantly improved.
3. The hazards and continued attention to the ozone hole.
Although the ozone hole problem has been alleviated, the rate of ozone depletion has accelerated after 2010, mainly due to human activities.
Ozone layer loss leads to a sharp increase in Earth's ultraviolet rays, with global ultraviolet levels increasing by 6% from 1980 to 1990, and up to 15% in Antarctica.
This change is harmful not only to human health but also affects ecosystems. For example, Australia's koalas are more prone to dark clotting disease due to high UV levels, severely impacting their reproductive capacity.
4. Efforts to control the ozone hole.
Since 2000, the world has taken measures to significantly reduce the use of CFCs, from 118,000 tons to 31,000 tons in 2019, and the loss of the ozone layer has correspondingly reduced.
This is a successful environmental protection case, demonstrating that global cooperation can effectively overcome environmental challenges.
However, we should continue to adhere to the Montreal Protocol, reduce the use of harmful substances, develop alternatives such as vortex ozone, to further protect the ozone layer.
The ozone hole issue has attracted global attention and has been successfully controlled through international cooperation in Antarctica and the Arctic.
However, protecting the ozone layer still requires long-term attention and effort, including reducing harmful emissions, promoting alternative technologies, and enhancing environmental awareness, to truly protect Earth’s environment.
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