Now 2020, the year where pandemic has been declared in the whole world because of the COVID-19, here is some cheerful news. The ozone layer of the earth has finally begun to heal. Ozone layer is capable of protecting our mother planet, earth, from Sun’s ultraviolet rays and as per the international climate change treaty, the Montreal Protocol called for the cut down of any substance that might harm the ozone layer. The protocol was signed among many countries in the year 1987 in order to minimize the use of ozone-depleting substances.
Ozone Layer plays a vital role in the existence of life on Earth. It is important in maintaining a balance of climatic conditions and also for keeping ocean currents on their natural course. Without the presence of the ozone-concentrated layer, almost nothing would be able to survive on the planet. Over the years, the excessive use of chlorofluorocarbons and the increase in air pollution by the human is the main cause of ozone depletion.
Antara Banerjee, a CIRES Visiting Fellow at the University of Colorado Boulder is the lead author of this study and she has even spoke to THE INDEPENDENT regarding their findings. She said that because of the depletion in the ozone layer, the air currents that flow towards both the North and South Pole has stopped since 2000 and the jet streams might even be reversing. She also added that CFCs from spray cans and refrigerants started to decline which shows that climate change actions do work. She is confident that the damage done on the planet by humans can we reversed.
If every individual follows the protocol, there are high chances that the ozone hole might recover fully though the recovery at different regions would happen at a different pace. Unity has its own strength. If at this course of time we can unite and completely decline the usage of ozone depletion substance, we can repair our mother EARTH. Everything is possible, with this hope, stay safe and stay tuned for more upcoming news!
