The ozone layer is recovering faster than expected, thanks to global cooperation and successful bans on chemicals that deplete it. This demonstrates that addressing pollution and climate change is achievable through concerted efforts by the international community. On September 16, 1987, a significant milestone was achieved with the adoption of the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Ratified by 198 nations, this agreement aimed to phase out pollutants that were found to cause extensive damage to the ozone layer. Chemists Frank Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina had shown in the 1970s that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released chlorine atoms into the atmosphere, which in turn broke down large amounts of ozone in the stratosphere. This damage was so severe that it had created a significant hole over Antarctica.
By January 1, 1989, the Montreal Protocol was in full effect, and recent reports indicate that atmospheric levels of ozone-depleting chemicals have dropped for the first time ever. This confirms that the Montreal Protocol not only succeeded but also surpassed scientists’ expectations in terms of speed and effectiveness. Although CFCs were banned in 2010, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), a substitute chemical, also posed risks to the ozone layer.
Fortunately, HCFC levels, along with CFC levels, are now dropping in the atmosphere. Dr. Luke Western, a Marie Curie Research Fellow at the University of Bristol’s School of Chemistry, emphasized the importance of adhering to international protocols: “The results are very encouraging.
Ozone recovery through global collaboration
They underscore the great importance of establishing and sticking to international protocols. Without the Montreal Protocol, this success would not have been possible.”
Veerabhadran Ramanathan, a climate scientist at the University of California at San Diego and Cornell University, remarked, “This is a remarkable success story that shows how global policies are protecting the planet.” The observed reduction in HCFC abundance is sooner than anticipated, potentially moving forward the date for full recovery of the ozone layer.
It’s anticipated that HCFC levels in the atmosphere will return to 1980 levels by 2080. The world has already curbed 98 percent of ozone-depleting substances produced in 1990. Scientists see promising signs regarding the declining globally averaged chlorine content of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in the troposphere.
This decline in the total radiative forcing and EECl from HCFCs further demonstrates the success of the Montreal Protocol. The study authors note that to continue this progress, adherence to agreements like the Kigali Amendment, Paris Agreement, and Global Cooling Pledge is essential. These international efforts can ensure that harmful emissions, including HFCs, follow a similar decline to HCFCs.
This achievement is not an isolated incident. Historical precedents, such as the reduction of acid rain through amendments to the Clean Air Act in 1990 and the moratorium on nuclear testing agreed upon by the U.S. and the Soviet Union in the 1960s, illustrate the potential for successful global collaboration. Ultimately, these success stories show that the planet’s health is a choice.
While challenges in climate change and pollution persist, the recovery of the ozone layer highlights the power of international cooperation and stringent environmental regulations.
