News that harmful
gases accumulating in the Earth’s atmosphere had cleaved a large hole in the
ozone layer shocked the world and led to fears of a worldwide spike in skin
cancer.
Realising the danger
that a hole in this shield presented, the world rallied and began to gradually
phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which contain the chlorine that harms the
Ozone, under an international treaty known as the Montreal Protocol. The
protocol has since been universally ratified by 196 nations and the European
Union.
The result of this
international effort is one of the environmental movement’s greatest success
stories, highlighted by strong evidence published in the journal Science last week that shows the hole in the ozone
layer is finally beginning to heal.
“This is a very
positive story,” said Dr. David Fahey, Director of the Chemical Sciences
Division at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth
System Research Laboratory, and a co-chair of the Scientific Assessment Panel
of the Montreal Protocol. “The whole world has participated in the control of
ozone-depleting substances. All the behind the scenes work has paid off. We are
slowly reversing the trend.”
The role played by the
Dobson Ozone Spectrophotometer – a delicate beast of a machine invented in the
1920s – cannot be underestimated. The odd readings it provided gave the world
the first scientific evidence that CFCs, which were widely used in aerosols and
refrigerators at the time, were rapidly accumulating in the atmosphere, ripping
a large hole in the ozone layer. The potential consequences for the health of
humans, animals and plants were devastating.
The ozone layer acts
as a protective shield that blocks most of the sun’s high-frequency ultraviolet
rays, which can cause skin cancer and cataracts in humans and trigger
reproductive problems in fish, crabs, frogs and even phytoplankton.
With Thursday’s news that the Ozone layer
is starting to heal, scientists say it is clear that this phase out of ozone-depleting
substances is working.
“A best estimate is
that about half of the healing is due to Montreal Protocol bringing changes in
chlorine,” said the author of the last week’s research paper, Professor Susan
Solomon of MIT. The other half of the healing may be caused by seasonal
meteorological changes over Antarctica although scientists say that more
research is needed to determine the cause of these variations.
Prof Solomon and the
scientists behind the latest findings say that the hole shrunk by an area about
the size of India between 2000 and September 2015 – roughly four million square
kilometres in 15 years. The researchers say that, while other studies have
shown the declining abundance and influence of CFCs on the ozone layer, this
new study is the first to show “the first fingerprints of healing”; that the
ozone layer is actually starting to grow again.
To date, more than 98
per cent of chemicals that thin the ozone layer – about 2.5 million metric
tonnes – have been phased out globally under the Montreal Protocol, which is
the first universally ratified treaty in the history of the United Nations. As
a result of this reduction, the Antarctic ozone hole is expected to return to
pre-1980 levels by around the middle of this century.
One of the key substitutes
that have been replacing ozone-depleting substances is hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), a group of chemicals that have high global warming potential. These
so-called “super greenhouse gases” are mainly used in refrigerators and air
conditioning units. The parties to the Montreal Protocol have agreed that they
will work within the Montreal Protocol in 2016 to an HFC amendment by first
resolving challenges and generating solutions. .
An HFC phase-down
would avoid 0.4°C of warming by 2100 – a crucial contribution to climate change
mitigation and to the implementation of the Paris Agreement to hold global
temperature increase this century below the agreed dangerous limit of 2°C.
“The success of
efforts to heal the ozone layer provides some really direct encouragement to a
world facing multiple environmental problems,” said Dr. Fahey. “It means that
there is hope that the world can act together as a group and fix the next big
problem – climate change.”
- See more at:
http://www.unep.org/stories/Ecosystems/Ozone-Layer-Begins-to-Heal.asp#sthash.4AYtZVfA.dpuf
I guess this is a big step and a better approach to environmental sustainability. Thank you guys
ReplyDeleteI read a statement on an article a while back saying... "The Arctic stratosphere in winter/spring 2011 was particularly cold, which led to large ozone depletion as expected under these conditions". Can you pls elaborate on how cold weather condition affect the ozone layer
ReplyDeleteThe Montreal Protocol has made large contributions toward reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. In 1987, ozone-depleting substances contributed about 10 gigatonnes CO2-equivalent emissions per year. The Montreal Protocol has now reduced these emissions by more than 90 per cent. This decrease is about five times larger than the annual emissions reduction target for the first commitment period (2008-2012) of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
ReplyDeleteHydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) do not harm the ozone layer but many of them are potent greenhouse gases. They currently contribute about 0.5 gigatonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions per year. These emissions are growing at a rate of about 7% per year. Left unabated, they can be expected to contribute very significantly to climate change in the next decades.
Saving Earth’s protective stratospheric ozone layer from destruction was a major environmental crusade 30 years ago, leading to the regulation of halocarbons and other ozone-depleting substances. But what would Earth look like today if the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer—the international agreement that restricted halocarbon refrigerants, solvents, and aerosol-can propellants—had not been put into force?The grim outcome has been predicted with an advanced atmospheric chemistry model by researchers led by Martyn P. Chipperfield of the University of Leeds, in England. The team found that the Antarctic ozone hole would have grown by an additional 40% by 2013. Their model also predicts that continued use of ozone-depleting substances would have thinned the ozone layer elsewhere around the globe by about 15%. And Arctic ozone holes would have become a regular occurrence. The Leeds model shows that the Antarctic ozone hole is instead on track to disappear by about 2050......It is indeed very rewarding to read that the Montreal protocol has already had a positive effect on our planet, even before the expected time making the earth a better place.
ReplyDeleteMontreal protocol have been the most successful international agreement to date. This protocol have been effective since it inception in 1987,signed initially by 46 countries and now having about 200 countries signature in order to phase out the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances. The ozone layer is shield that protects the planet earth UV-B radiations from the sun. This radiation is a serious human health concern cause it has been established that every 1% drop in atmosphere ozone content lead to a 6% increase in the incidence of skin cancer. Skin cancers are one of the more lethal diseases afflicting humans who are relatively resistant to increase ultraviolet radiation. Other organisms such as photosynthetic plankton species that are so important to global productivity are apparently much more susceptible. The Montreal protocol targets 96 chemicals in thousands of applications across more than 240 industrial sectors. The multilateral fund has provided more than US $2.5 billion in financial assistance to developing countries to phase out these chemicals. It is a great relief to hear about the positive effect of the protocol. Abdullahi kafilah
ReplyDeleteThe ozone layer protects the earth From the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays and has been exposed to certain chemicals and greenhouse gases. I believe we are still a long way to recovery from the depletion of the ozone layer because the molecules that depletes the ozone have a long life span and will take decades before complete recovery. If we must achieve our desired result, we have to keep to the Montreal protocol and play our individual part by educating those who are unaware and keep carrying out awareness campaigns.
ReplyDeleteThe ozone layer protects the earth From the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays and has been exposed to certain chemicals and greenhouse gases. I believe we are still a long way to recovery from the depletion of the ozone layer because the molecules that depletes the ozone have a long life span and will take decades before complete recovery. If we must achieve our desired result, we have to keep to the Montreal protocol and play our individual part by educating those who are unaware and keep carrying out awareness campaigns.
ReplyDeleteNo one disputes that stratospheric ozone recovery is one of the environmental movement's great success stories. In the 1970s, scientists first discovered that CFCs and other chemicalservices could damage the earth's protective ozone layer, which shields life on Earth from the harmful effects of ultraviolet(uv) radiation. Professor Susan Solomon MIT.Estimated that the half of the healing is due to Montreal protocol bringing changes in chlorine.and half of the healing may be caused by seasonal meteorological changes over Antarctica although scientists say that more research is needed to determine the cause of these variations.
ReplyDeleteThe use of cfc's should be reduced and administrative bodies should backup the fME with some constitutional laws, rule and relations.
ReplyDeleteThe montreal protocol had really help to minimize the depleting of the ozone layer. The excess release of cfc's from product like refrigerator etc, had really reduced the direct penetration of sunlight on the earth. Lack of awareness on the release of Cfc's most also be know to the public, as well as penalty in violating the rules provided should be put into consideration. F/hd/14/3720064
ReplyDeleteThe use of chlorofluorocarbons should be reduced and legal administrative bodies should backup the Federal Ministry of Environment with some constitutional laws, it is also a big step to approach environmental sustainability.
ReplyDeleteHenryson Happiness A. F/HD/14/3720008
Harmful gas accumulating in earth atmosphere had cleaved a large hole in the ozone layer. The world had to come together and began to gradually phase out cfc's, which contain chlorine that harms the ozone. The above led to the montreal protocol. The protocol consists of 196 nations and the European Union. Because the world put thier hands on deck the hole in the ozone layer is finally beginning to heal. The whole world has joined thier hands together in the control of ozone depletion substances. The hole in the ozone really affected humans,animals and plants. This is because the protective shield that shields the earth and it's occupancy is no longer there. Ozone depletion causes skin cancer and cataracts in humans and trigger reproductive problems in marine lives. F/hd/14/3720012
ReplyDeleteThe Montreal Protocol is the first international treaty to be now ratified by all 197 member countries of the international community. By working together all countries have helped reduce the amount of ODS released into the atmosphere. As a result, the prospects for the long-term recovery of the ozone layer are good. Nonessential consumption of major ozone depleting substances ceased for developed countries in 1996 and for developing countries in 2010. Scientists predict that if the international community continues to comply with the Montreal Protocol the ozone layer should fully recover between 2050 and 2065. Without coordinated international action the earth’s protective layer of ozone would almost certainly have been severely damaged. Some studies suggest that ozone loss in the tropics would have been catastrophic by around 2050, and that in mid-latitudes UV values of up to 30 could have occurred by 2065 (10 or over is currently considered extreme).In 2012, the Montreal Protocol celebrated its 25th anniversary and the world celebrated its significant environmental achievements, which include the expected recovery of the ozone layer by the middle of the century.
ReplyDeleteSAVAGE OLAYINKA F/HD/14/3720055
The Montreal protocol has really helped because it involves about 196 nations and European Union joining hands together by establishing some rules and regulations which includes the reduction in producing of harmful materials like CFCs gas which can have negative effects on human,plants and animal. The ozone depletion substances production was minimize to the lowest and this gave gap for the healing of the holes. Public awareness is very important and the federal ministry of environment should enforce laws on individual,companies and ensure maximum protection of the environment.from Egbujie Juliet o. F/HD/14/3720067
ReplyDeleteThe Antarctic ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays, shows encouraging signs that it's beginning to heal, according to research published in the journal Science.
ReplyDeleteScientists credit the healing to an international policy set nearly three decades ago that cut the production of ozone-destroying chemicals. That agreement -- the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer -- called for the phase-out of substances including chlorofluorocarbons and halons, once present in refrigerators, aerosol cans and dry cleaning chemicals.
"The ozone layer is expected to recover in response, albeit very slowly," wrote the researchers in the study which was released Thursday.
"We can now be confident that the things we've done have put the planet on a path to heal," said Professor Susan Solomon of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who led the international team of researchers, in a statement. "We decided collectively, as a world, 'Let's get rid of these molecules'. We got rid of them, and now we're seeing the planet respond."
The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects animal and plant life on Earth from powerful UV rays. When the ozone layer is weakened, more UV rays can get through and affect humans, making them prone to skin cancer, cataracts and other diseases. There also may be consequences for plant life, including lower crop yields and disruptions in the ocean's food chain.
The ozone hole was discovered in 1985, which led to the Montreal Protocol two years later.
Researchers from MIT, the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, measured the impact on the ozone layer using weather balloons based in Syowa station (in Antartica) and South Pole stations, as well as ground-based instruments and satellites.
They estimated that the ozone-depleting gases peaked in the late 1990s and has since been slowly declining.
Scientists found that the hole in the ozone layer had shrunk by 1.5 million square miles, based on their measurements every September since 2000 to 2015. This area is equivalent to 4 million square kilometers, which is bigger than India.
Since the Montreal Protocol went into effect, the amount of harmful chemicals has also decreased. The chemicals in the atmosphere have long staying power, so researchers don't expect the hole to seal up until about 2050.
They observed a record ozone hole in October 2015, but later determined that it was the effects from a Chilean volcano eruption six months prior. Volcanic eruptions can inject particles into the atmosphere that also deplete the ozone
By Adejumo timothy adeniyi
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe ozone layer is crucial for life on earth. It protects us from harmful UV rays that can have serious effects on animals, biodiversity and people’s health, including skin cancer and eye cataract. Experts blame ozone-layer depletion on man-made chemicals containing chlorine and bromine that are emitted from a number of products and industrial processes. The international community took action, signing the Montreal Protocol in 1987. The agreement has been successful in curbing many of the substances that are most destructive to the ozone layer. The European Union has played a leading role in international negotiations on ozone protection, and has consistently taken strict and decisive measures that go beyond the Montreal Protocol. The Montreal Protocol is one of the oldest and most successful international environmental agreements but needs to be further developed to address current issues. The continued use of methyl bromide and HCFCs, the illegal trade in chemicals and banks of chemicals in existing equipment in buildings, are areas that require more action
ReplyDeleteOgbuehi patience nkechi
F/hd/14/3720089
The ozone layer protect the earth from ultraviolet rays, sun reflection that cause skin cancer in human.The harmful gases accumulating in the earth's Batmosphere had cleaved a large hole in the ozone layer due to gradually phase-out chlorofluorocarbons (CFC),which contain the chlorine that harms the ozone and cause skin cancer,cataracts in human, plants and animals. But with the effort of Montreal Protocol and 196 nations and the European union have come together to mitigate and reduce the use of aerosol,refrigerators and conditioning unit to avoid the consequences for the health of humans, animal and plants.Montreal protocol and other European nations have helped in healing of the ozone layer and Montreal Protocol have helped to decrease the harmful chemicals that stays more in the atmosphere and together with positive minded people these ozone layer will be healed completely. Nyiam Becy Matthew F/HD/14/3720085.
ReplyDeleteThe accumulation of cfc gas in the atmosphere that led to the depletion of the ozone layer( a hole in ozone layer) brought shock to the world. The introduction of Hfc as alternative has brought healing to to the hole in the atmosphere. Kudos to the Montreal protocol of nations that came together to achieve this might. Madu Obinna Josephat F/hd/14/3720007.
ReplyDeleteozone is a colourless gas,chemically,ozone is very active;it reacts readily with a great many other substances near the earth's surface,those reactions cause rubber to crack,hurt plant life and damage people's lung tissue,but ozone absorbs harmful components of sunlight known as ultra violet B OR UV-B
ReplyDeleteeach year for the past few decades during southern hemisphere spring,chemicals reaction involving chlorine and bromine cause ozone in the southern polar region to be destroyed rapidly and severely.this depleted region is known as the ozone hole.this hole directly exposes the earth to direct impact of this UV-B and its adverse effect,which led to the action taken by the international communities in signing the motreal protocol in 1987 and since the motreal protocolwent into effect the amount of harmful chemmicals has reduced although the hole is no fully healed but signs has been seen of its gradual healing,this healing process is slow because the chemicals in the atmosphere has long staying power but according to researchers by the year 2050 there is hope of the hole finally healing.
The ozone layer is crucial for life on earth. The ozone layer protect the earth from ultraviolet rays, sun reflection that cause skin cancer in human.The harmful gases accumulating in the earth atmosphere had leaved a large hole in the ozone layer due to gradually phase-out chlorofluorocarbons (CFC),which contain the chlorine that harms the ozone and cause skin cancer,cataracts in human, plants and animals. The European Union has played a leading role in international negotiations on ozone protection, and has consistently taken strict and decisive measures that go beyond the Montreal Protocol. The Montreal Protocol is one of the oldest and most successful international environmental agreements but needs to be further developed to address current issues. Since the Montreal Protocol went into effect, the amount of harmful chemicals has been decreased. The chemicals in the atmosphere have long staying power, so researchers don't expect the hole to seal up until about 2050.
ReplyDeleteThey observed a record ozone hole in October 2015, but later determined that it was the effects from a Chilean volcano eruption six months prior. Volcanic eruptions can inject particles into the atmosphere that also deplete the ozone. In this case, it is better for us to change to Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which do not harm the ozone layer but many of them are potent greenhouse gases. They currently contribute about 0.5 gigatonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions per year. These emissions are growing at a rate of about 7% per year. Left unabated, they can be expected to contribute very significantly to climate change in the next decades.
The progress made in phase out ozone depleting substances made by the Montreal protocol has led to significant positive effect on the ozone layer, still we have to wait for 50 years more to really ascertain the healing of the ozone layer.
ReplyDeleteF/HD/14/3720041
The Montreal protocol has made large contribution towards reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. saving the earth's protective stratospheric ozone layer from destruction was a major environmental crusade 30 years ago which led to the regulation of halocarbon and other ozone depleting substances. The protocol have been the most successful international agreement till date and have been effective since it inception in 1987, signed initially by 46 countries. The ozone layer is a shield that protects the planet earth UV_B radiations from the sun. in order to keep the Montreal protocol as an individual, we need to educate others who are unaware and keel carrying out awareness campaign until it reaches out to everyone.
ReplyDeletef/hd14/3720019
Ishola busayo abigeal
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Montreal Protocol has made large contributions toward reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. In 1987, ozone-depleting substances contributed about 10 gigatonnes CO2-equivalent emissions per year. The Montreal Protocol has now reduced these emissions by more than 90 per cent. This decrease is about five times larger than the annual emissions reduction target for the first commitment period (2008-2012) of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
DeleteHydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) do not harm the ozone layer but many of them are potent greenhouse gases. They currently contribute about 0.5 gigatonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions per year. These emissions are growing at a rate of about 7% per year. Left unabated, they can be expected to contribute very significantly to climate change in the next decades.The ozone layer is crucial for life on earth. The ozone layer protect the earth from ultraviolet rays, sun reflection that cause skin cancer in human.The harmful gases accumulating in the earth atmosphere had leaved a large hole in the ozone layer due to gradually phase-out chlorofluorocarbons (CFC),which contain the chlorine that harms the ozone and cause skin cancer,cataracts in human, plants and animals. F/hd/14/3720081
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987, is showing success at removing ozone-depleting substances from the atmosphere, a NASA scientist says, with ozone levels projected to return to 1980 levels by 2032. (Shown here a Sept. 24, 2006, image of the Antarctic ozone hole, with blue and purple representing the least protective ozone; greens, yellows and reds signaling more ozone.)When nations agreed in 1987 to stop using chemicals that eat away at the protective ozone layer high in the atmosphere, they averted a great deal of hardship, said a senior NASA scientist.
ReplyDeleteIn 1987, nations adopted the Montreal Protocol and agreed to phase out the production and use of so-called ozone-depleting substances. The benefits of this action are now on the horizon, according to atmospheric chemist Paul Newman, who offered a brief glimpse at a world without this treaty here at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).
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"Ozone-depleting substances are declining as we expected," Newman said. "The Montreal Protocol has led to that decline, and we expect them to continue to decline in the future."
Ozone levels are projected to return to 1980 levels by 2032, he said.
Occurrence of ozone layer should be taken by the weather forecasters, by doing this, the problem that lies will be introduced to humans. AFOLARIN KANYINSOLA.K. F/HND/15/3720088.
ReplyDeleteWell, its a first step to success seeing the Antarctic ozone layer getting heal. The existence of the green house gases in the atmosphere has posed a desperate menace on the Ecosystem at large which brought about coming together of scientists (MONTREAL PROTOCOL) with the view of tackling this threat. It will be a great joy when the great shield heals fully.
ReplyDelete#fingers_crossed
ATERE OLAYINKA M.
F/HD/15/3720009
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY