Specifically, the layer of specific types of oxygen molecules that appears around 6 miles above the Earth was found to have a large hole in it over the South Pole in 1985. Ever since then scientists kept an eye on it, and rightfully so, in fact over next decade or two it was found that roughly 10% of the upper ozone layer was depleted causing many to start planning for an environmental crisis.
However, here is the good news, since the late ’90s – which was when the protective layer was at its worse – researchers found that approximately 3% or it returned each decade and it has continued to do so until this day. As for how this change came about, an international agreement called the Montreal Protocol made sure that businesses came up with replacements for the products that were responsible for the damage such as chemicals like CFCs. Lucky for us the agreement has been a success, and rightfully so as over 180 countries signed up to it.
Although, this doesn’t mean it’s completely fine as one scientist from the University of Colorado stated that “We are only at a point where recovery may have started,” adding that some areas of the ozone haven’t been repaired as of yet. I guess we will have to wait and see with our fingers crossed what takes place from here.
