Ozone is a layer in the atmosphere which is above the stratosphere. It is composed of 3 atoms of oxygen(O3) molecules. Oxygen makes up 21% of the earth's atmosphere while ozone constitutes 0.001%.Ozone is a toxic gas as far as it is concerned about the earth's surface but in the atmospheric level, the Ozone layer plays a crucial role by shielding the earth's surface from the harmful Ultraviolet radiations( UV) like a blanket. UV radiations are extremely harmful to living beings on earth. In human beings, it could cause skin cancers and eye cataracts. It could damage crops, affect ecosystems and food chains.
There are some chemicals which are responsible for the depletion of ozone layer like CFCs(Chlorofluorocarbons) which prevent the formation of O3 molecule.CFCs are commonly used in air conditioners and refrigerants. These molecules will combine with O2 molecule.ODS( Ozone Depleting substances) include chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs,hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs),halons,methylbromide,carbotetrachloride,hydrobromofluorocarbons (includes bromine), chlorobromomethane and methyl chloroform.
In recent years, the Ozone layer has been depleting and one such example is the development of an annual ozone hole over Antarctica. Contradicting all assumptions, researchers have clarified that it is not actually a hole but it is a large area of stratosphere that is lacking the sufficient amount of ozone molecules. The Dobson unit is a common device used to measure ozone hole's size and depth. For ozone layer to become hole, it should become less than 220 Dobson Units. The Ozone hole formed over Antarctica is said to have affected neighbouring countries like Chile, Argentina, Australia etc.
The discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole was first announced in a journal in may 1985 when the official discovery began in 1984 during an expedition. Nimbus-7 is the first satellite that has monitored ozone and detection a hole.
There are several international actions taken up by various associations. The Montreal protocol was finalised in 1987, it was an agreement to eliminate the excessive usage of ODCs. The United States was the leader of this initiative and reason for the success. Nearly 99% of ODCs have been terminated because of its introduction. This has caused a notable recovery in the Ozone hole and decreased human exposure to UV rays. If the current scenario continues, ozone layer is predicted to be healed like the 1980s level by 2066.
As responsible habitats of planet earth, we ought to lend our hand is protecting it. First and foremost, say no to all the appliances like refrigerators that are using CFCs, minimise the use of vehicles and rather use cycles or go by walk, in unavoidable situations pooling of vehicles( people using 4 separate vehicles can reduce it to one vehicle) can be a preferable option, use products that are labelled as "ozone- friendly", Follow 3RS- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
There used to be recycling drives in Kuwait and India lasting for some weeks in a year where we can donate old items from our house like cotton cloths, papers, glass bottles, plastic containers etc and those would be recycled into newer forms instead of becoming wastes. These drives are really fruitful in the conservation of natural resources and for reducing greenhouse gas emission thereby helping the earth to recover from damage.
As an individual, I grow plants in my balcony, reduce plastic usage by using cloth bags, prefer walking instead of using vehicles and switching off lights and fan when not in use to conserve electricity. I also try my best to reduce wastage from food.
We, humans blame ourselves for all the destruction we have caused in the nature, then why not we also be proud that our collective efforts have caused a positive impact in nature.