Question

What efforts have been made to reduce the ozone layer depletion?

Answer 1

Ozone layer:

• Ozone is a gas, that is poisonous to humans.
• This is present in the upper atmosphere at the height of 20-50 km from the surface of the earth. This region is termed the ozone layer as this gas is predominantly present at this level.
• The ozone is crucial for living organisms as it protects them from the harmful radiations coming from the earth.
• This gas can absorb harmful radiation like ultraviolet radiation.

Ozone layer depletion:

• Human activities can negatively affect this layer as these activities release some substances that can reduce the ozone gas in the atmosphere.
• The removal or reduction of the ozone causes thinning of the layer and is termed ozone depletion.

Ozone-depleting substances:

• The substances that reduce the amount of ozone in the atmosphere, are called ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are such substances.
• CFCs are present in aerosol sprays, fire extinguishers, refrigerators, and other similar objects.

Efforts towards the ozone layer protection:

• The ozone depletion or ozone hole over Antarctica caught the attention of the scientists and thus efforts were made for its protection.
• Montreal protocol (1987): This is an agreement signed by the member countries under the guidance of the UNEP (United Nations Environment Program).
• As per this protocol, the level of ozone should be reached to the level of the ozone that was present in 1986. This protocol came into effect on January 1, 1989.
• As per the protocol, CFCs were banned in several countries.