World Ozone Day 2019: Is the Ozone Layer Recovering?

September 16th is observed as World Ozone Day 2019 or International Day for the preservation of the Ozone Layer. On this day, we observe the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. As per the United Nations, the theme for this year, 32 Years and Healing. The protocol was signed in 1987. This treaty was signed to reverse the damage caused to the ozone layer by industrial gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

What is the Ozone Layer

The ozone layer, a delicate layer of gas that protects the Earth from the harmful rays of the sun.

What is the Montreal Protocol?

The Montreal Protocol objective is to protect the ozone layer by taking appropriate steps to bring down global production and consumption of substances that harm the ozone layer.

As per this protocol, more than 100 chemicals are listed out. Montreal Protocol sets out a timetable for the phase-out of production and consumption of those substances, intending to eliminate them eventually.

Is the Ozone Layer recovering?

As per a study was done in 2018, 'Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion', since 2000 some parts of the ozone layer has recovered at a rate of 1 to 3% per decade. This report hints that in Northern hemisphere by the end of 2030 Ozone layer may heal entirely. In the same way, the ozone layer in Southern hemisphere may be recovered by 2015 and Polar Regions will be improved by 2060.

On the occasion of World Ozone Day, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General said, "As we rightly focus our energies on tackling climate change, we must be careful not to neglect the ozone layer and stay alert to the threat posed by the illegal use of ozone-depleting gases. The recent detection of emissions of one such gas, CFC-11, reminds us that we need continued monitoring and reporting systems, and improved regulations and enforcement."

Every year, a hole is seen in the ozone layer above Antarctica, during the southern spring. This is mainly due to the frigid temperatures in the winter stratosphere- the layer above 10-km altitude- allow by-products of chlorofluorocarbons and related gases to be converted into forms that destroy ozone when the sunlight returns in spring.

As the ozone-destroying gases are fading, the annual ozone hole is getting smaller.