The world isn’t in the best condition because of the coronavirus pandemic, but at least there’s a glimmer of good news coming from the scientific community regarding the ozone layer. Scientists have confirmed in a study published March 25th, 2020, that the changes in the jet stream – the rapid air currents found at high altitudes – are evidence that the Earth’s protective ozone layer is recovering. The study has been published in Nature.
Lead author of the new research, Antara Banerjee, who works in the Chemical Sciences Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, explained:
This study adds to growing evidence showing the profound effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol. Not only has the treaty spurred healing of the ozone layer, but it’s also driving recent changes in Southern Hemisphere air circulation patterns.
The ozone layer is our planet’s protective shield located in the stratosphere, made up of inorganic molecules that block and absorb the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Without it, all that radiation would hit the Earth, and no living being would survive it. Levels of ozone had begun to decline due to chemicals found in industrial solvents, commercial and home refrigerants, aerosol spray propellants, and foam-blowing agents like fire extinguishers.
It reached a critical point where the level of ozone was so low that an agreement had to be made to save the planet. Every nation agreed to prohibit the use of all chemicals that damage and deplete the ozone layer. The arrangement was established in 1987, and it is known as the Montreal Protocol.
Now, a little over three decades later, research is beginning to show proof that the Montreal Protocol has been successful. The ozone has been repairing itself, and the strict elimination of ODSs (ozone-depleting substances) around the world has made that possible.
The researchers used a computer simulation to visualize how human-caused factors like carbon dioxide emissions being spewed into the atmosphere may be affecting patterns of observed wind changes. But they found that the changes were likely due to natural variability – meaning that only the ozone changes could explain the pause in circulation trends.
Co-author John Fyfe, and a scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, said:
Identifying the ozone-driven pause in circulation trends in real-world observations confirms, for the first time, what the scientific ozone community has long predicted from theory.
This great news doesn’t mean we are “off the hook” regarding the issue of rising greenhouse gas levels. Carbon dioxide emissions coming from burning fossil fuels are still causing global warming.
Banerjee said:
It’s the tug of war between the opposing effects of ozone recovery and rising greenhouse gases that will determine future trends.
Meaning that even though the ozone is repairing itself, we still have to reduce our carbon footprint. And if we can take anything good out of the coronavirus crisis going on its that burning fewer fossil fuels DOES minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Most emissions come from vehicle exhausts and factories.
With lockdowns keeping people indoors and businesses having to close, the level of particulate matter has noticeably reduced, especially in major cities around China, and Italy as well as in London and Paris. NASA satellite images show drastically reduced NO2 levels in these regions. Hopefully, when the coronavirus pandemic blows over, the world will tackle the climate crisis with fresh eyes.
