Ozone layer lies on the earth?s stratosphere. It is colorless, poisonous and a very active gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O3). The ozone layer covers the entire earth and protects the living beings from too much ultraviolet radiation by absorbing harmful component of the sun known as ?UV-B?.

All measurements of ozone have revealed that its layer is gradually depleting. The British Antarctic Survey scientists who first discovered ozone layer depletion and termed it as ?ozone hole? defining it as, ?the region in stratosphere? where the quantity of ozone is extensively reduced. The depletion of ozone layer has serious effects on human beings as well as plants and animals. The direct fall of UV rays on earth may cause cataract, loss of immunity, skin inflammation to human beings as well as animals. It affects the fertility of animals by killing their eggs or larvae. On the other hand, the ozone layer depletion decreases crop yielding and reduces forests. Also, ozone layer depletion has been the main cause of the increasing temperature on the earth?s surface resulting in global warming. Researchers have, however, suggested that ozone is gradually healing due to natural process and human efforts.

Through the 1970s and the 1980s, the international community became increasingly concerned that ozone depleting substance would harm the ozone layer. In 1985, the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone LayerExit formalized international cooperation on this issue. This cooperation resulted in the signing of Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer the  in 1987 which is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. Because of measures taken under the Montreal Protocol, emissions of ozone depleting substance  are falling

Reference:

https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/international-treaties-and-cooperation

Himalayan Times

Image: NASA and NOAA