Whatever Happened to the Hole in the Ozone Layer?
The issue of the ozone layer and its depletion captured the world's attention in the late 20th century, sparking international concern and collective efforts to address the problem. Basically, without immediate action, the World's natural sunscreen would've disappeared, leaving all life on Earth exposed to the sun's harmful UV rays and radiation. It was certainly an alarming issue, but with the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, significant strides were made to curb the use of ozone-depleting substances. But what has happened since then? Has the ozone layer's hole recovered, or are there still challenges ahead? The Rise of Ozone Depleting Substances In the mid-20th century, the increased use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances in refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol propellants led to the thinning of the ozone layer, leaving a growing hole in the Antarctic. This depletion allowed harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiatio