If you’re somewhat inclined towards environmental conservation or even if you are generally aware of major challenges faced by humanity, you must have heard of the ozone hole that formed over the poles a few decades ago. If you’re not familiar, don’t worry. This article will help you to learn a lot about the functions and significance of ozone, along with the changes in the status of the ozone hole.

First, let’s take a step back and start from the beginning. Ozone is a compound that sits in the upper atmosphere and absorbs ultraviolet radiaton, another type of solar energy that's harmful to humans, animals and plants. Naturally, it is paramount to survival on earth as it protects us from various types of cancers, skin diseases etc. (By blocking  UV light). However, scientific developments during humanity’s period of constant innovation have disrupted the pristine balance of the ozone concentration. CFCs, compounds that are artificially created as a result of certain refrigeration mechanisms, aerosols and more, directly oppose the positive functions carried out by ozone and lead to its breakdown

At one point in history, CFCs were extremely harmful air pollutants and constituted a major threat to humanity as a whole. However, the global scientific community united and humanity was able to rebound from its mistakes. What followed was the Montreal Protocol, a treaty which banned the production of CFC producing goods (almost) throughout the globe.

Now, some people may be skeptical as to the effect of international treaties and agreements to combat climate crises. However, the results of the Montreal protocol showcased otherwise.

This is because the “ozone hole” is actually diminishing in size now, and the ozone content throughout the stratosphere is increasing at an unprecedented rate. In fact, the ozone levels in a few decades will go back to what they were before humanity’s age of mass CFC emission, indicating a complete turnaround !

Now, you may be asking why I have written this article. It is not just to educate you about ozone, air pollution, and CFCs. It is much larger than that. The key lesson to be learnt here is not about the specifics of the chemical compounds, but the fact that humanity was able to unite in its time of need to work for the common good and effectively eradicate an existing problem. This level of cooperation shows that we can achieve so much if nations throughout the globe collaborate and work for the common good. I believe that this level of cooperation is of utmost importance right now to tackle the issue of climate change with special regard to air pollution.

Bibliography

 https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/ozone-hole-and-global-warming