Reversing the depletion of the ozone layer has helped avert the damage that would have been caused by excessive ultraviolet radiation
discovered an area over Antarctica where the layer of stratospheric ozone, which protects Earth from ultraviolet radiation, had become dangerously thin. That chlorine from chlorofluorocarbons , chemicals used in refrigeration and products such as hairspray, could break down ozone molecules had been known for some time. What the “hole” showed was that in the peculiar conditions of the Antarctic this breakdown happened at an unexpected rate.
A report released by the UN on January 9th supports that view. It finds that 99% of banned ozone-damaging substances have been phased out. It predicts that the ozone layer will return to approximately its state in 1980 between 2040 and 2066 . How did the world manage it, and what will the consequences be?in the short term, and skin cancers, cataracts and immune-deficiency disorders over longer periods. It can lower crop yields.
This side-effect led to calls to expand the agreement. In 2016, the “Kigali Amendment” committed countries to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons , the man-made successors to CFCs. Though they do not deplete ozone, most commercials are hundreds to thousands of times more warming than carbon dioxide . The recent UN report reckons that compliance with the amendment will avoid an additional 0.3-0.5°C of temperature rise by 2100.
The success of the Montreal Protocol in healing the ozone layer means that it is frequently touted as a template for future environmental deals. Petteri Taalas, the secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organisation, recently said that “ozone action sets a precedent for climate action”. It certainly managed to overcome some of the problems which still, such as how to encourage widespread compliance.
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