Not everything is ruined! NASA finds direct proof of Ozone Hole recovery owing to Chemicals ban

Washington, January 5: Amid all news of climate change, global warming, pollution when we feel depressed due to the slow decay of mother earth, NASA brings a good news on the beginning of this year. For the first time, scientists have shown through direct satellite observations of the ozone hole that levels of ozone-destroying chlorine are declining, resulting in less ozone depletion.

“We see very clearly that chlorine from CFCs is going down in the ozone hole, and that less ozone depletion is occurring because of it,” an atmosphere scientist said. Measurements show that the decline in chlorine, resulting from an international ban on chlorine-containing manmade chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), has resulted in about 20 percent less ozone depletion during the Antarctic winter than there was in 2005 — the first year that measurements of chlorine and ozone during the Antarctic winter were made by NASA’s Aura satellite.

What is CFC?

CFCs are long-lived chemical compounds that eventually rise into the stratosphere, where they are broken apart by the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms that go on to destroy ozone molecules. Stratospheric ozone protects life on the planet by absorbing potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation that can cause skin cancer and cataracts, suppress immune systems and damage plant life.

While 20% less ozone depletion has been observed, complete recovery will take decades. CFCs have lifetimes from 50 to 100 years, so they linger in the atmosphere for a very long time. Scientists are expecting 2060 or 2080 as the time when whole ozone hole will be gone.It shows us if we take up honest efforts, there are ways to save our mother from harms and help her to recover from the ruin caused by us.