This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, which reduced or eliminated the use of chemicals that led to ozone depletion. As a result, the ozone layer is now on track to recover in 50 years, an impressive feat considering the size of the hole in the ozone layer. The Protocol has been ratified by 197 countries-the only treaty to have achieved universal ratification. Looking at the history and results of the treaty may provide a glimmer of hope for climate advocates.
Largest Ozone Hole Discovered
The treaty came about after a hole in the ozone layer was discovered in 1984. Remarkably, global action to curb the use of ozone depleting chemicals came about just three years later. As stated by one of the scientists that discovered the ozone hole:
People were scared and thought this could be a real disaster that could kill us, give us cancer. But the significant ozone loss was not happening in areas where people were living. It was occurring mostly over Antarctica. There are penguins there, but no human beings, and it happens for only two months a year. Regardless, it had a huge impact on people.