Ozone depletion

2009 Antarctic Ozone Hole

Ozone depletion describes two distinct, but related observations:

• a slow, steady decline of about 4 percent per decade in the total amount of ozone in Earth's stratosphere since around 1980; and
• a much larger, but seasonal, decrease in stratospheric ozone over Earth's polar regions during the same period.

Ozone layer thinning is mainly caused by the CFC family, (Chlorofluorocarbons), commonly known as freons. These compounds are transported into the stratosphere after being emitted at the surface. Both ozone depletion mechanisms strengthened as emissions of CFC's and halons increased.

Causes[edit | edit source]

The main uses of ozone depleting substances include^[1]:

• CFCs and HCFCs in refrigerators and air conditioners,
• HCFCs and halons in fire extinguishers,
• CFCs and HCFCs in foam,
• CFCs and HCFCs as aerosol propellants, and
• methyl bromide for fumigation of soil, structures and goods to be imported or exported.

Solutions[edit | edit source]

• Maintain air conditioners and refrigerators to avoid CFC emissions.
• Sustainable transport.
• Buy local.
• Organic pesticides.

Interwiki links[edit | edit source]

• Wikipedia:Ozone depletion