Ozone layer

The ozone layer is a region of ozone-rich atmosphere, primarily located in the Stratosphere between roughly 15 and 35 kilometers above Earth's surface. This delicate shield absorbs the majority of the sun's harmful Ultraviolet radiation, making complex life on land possible.

In the mid-20th century, scientists discovered that chemical compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)—once widely used in refrigerants and aerosols—were destroying ozone molecules through catalytic reactions. This discovery catalyzed the Montreal Protocol (1987), a landmark international agreement that phased out ozone-depleting substances. The protocol stands as one of humanity's most successful collaborative responses to an environmental crisis.

The ozone layer's recovery is ongoing but measurable. The infamous "ozone hole" over Antarctica, which grew each southern spring, has begun to shrink. However, the layer remains vulnerable to industrial remnants and faces new pressures from Climate change.

Understanding the ozone layer reveals how interconnected Earth's composition truly is—a thin, fragile boundary that protects and sustains all terrestrial life.

Related

Stratosphere, Ultraviolet radiation, Montreal Protocol, Atmospheric chemistry, Chlorofluorocarbon, Climate change