Arctics’ Largest Ozone Hole Closes
Scientists with the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) recently announced their observations of the Arctic Ozone layer via Twitter.
A record setting hole in the arctic ozone layer formed earlier this month according to The Independent. Holes in the ozone layer cause the suns harmful radiation to penetrate the earths’ atmosphere and can accelerate the process of global warming.
Ozone layer holes around the arctic and antarctic are actually usual occurrences. When freezing temperatures are brought on by the changing seasons the ozone layer is more likely to be damaged by chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs). The recent record breaking arctic ozone hole was brought on by one unusually strong polar vortex earlier this month, according to CAMS.
“Although it looks like the polar vortex has not quite come to an end yet and will reform in the next few days, ozone values will not go back to the very low levels seen earlier in April”CAMS Twitter
The positive news about the arctic ozone layer comes after years of environmental efforts and regulations from countries and organizations around the globe. The ban on CFCs years ago has allowed the ozone layer to slowly recover, much more still needs to be done.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a highly reduced rate of human pollution to the environment but when CAMS was asked if lock-downs have contributed to the closure of the ozone hole , they said,
“This Arctic ozone hole actually has nothing to do with coronavirus-related lockdowns, but rather was caused by an unusually strong and long-lived polar vortex.”CAMS via Independent
Hopefully the closing of this arctic ozone hole is a sign that the people of this planet are finally taking environmentalism seriously.
What are your ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Comment below!