Ozone Layer Destruction

Ozone Layer Depletion

Definition

Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer as discharging lethal gases, which allows more UV reaches the ground.

For humans, ozone layer depletion increases the rate of skin cancer, eye cataracts, malignant melanoma development, quick aging and genetic and immune system damage for humans.

For plants, it causes minimal growth, smaller leaf size, flowering and photosynthesis, thus lower quality crops for humans.

strong UV ray decreases the number of phytoplankton which are the foundation of marine ecosystems, leading to the deformation of marine food webs. UV ray has been found to cause damage to early developmental stages of fish, shrimp, crab, amphibians, and other marine animals.

In 1987, Montreal Protocol decided to prohibit the use of ozone depleting substances by phasing out the CFC and achieve a 50% reduction in global consumption from 1986 levels by 1998.
- 30 years after the Montreal Protocol, scientists documented the first direct proof that ozone from Antarctica is recovering due to the CFCs gradual reduction. And at the end of 2018, the United Nations confirmed in a scientific assessment that the ozone layer is recovering.

It is crucial to lessen the usage of chemical compounds that causes ozone depletion and make replaceable substances. Ozone depleting substances (ODS) include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform and methyl bromide.

In 2007, governments made an additional commitment, agreeing to freeze production of HCFCs in developing countries by 2013 and to bring forward the final phase-out date of these chemicals to 2030.

Also, what people can personally do to prevent ozone depletion is not to buy ODS-based cosmetics and spray products, not keep refrigerator doors open or use air conditioners for long, and use natural cleaning products.

NASA

United Nation

European Commission