Earth has its own sunscreen – and it works

Have you ever heard that our planet has its own kind of sunscreen?

The sunscreen is the ozone layer. It shields us from harmful sun rays. A few decades ago it faced serious damage, but then the countries of the world did something special:

"When countries face a shared threat, they are willing to cooperate to solve the problem," says Jan Eiof Jonson. 

He is a researcher at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.

Hairspray was bad for the planet

In the 1970s and 80s, researchers discovered something alarming. The ozone layer was thinning and developing holes. 

This damage came from human pollution, especially CFC gases. These were commonly used in hairspray cans and to keep refrigerators cool.

Nations around the world united, and in 1987 new laws were introduced.

"The Montreal Protocol was created. Countries agreed to cut down and eventually stop using the gases that destroy the ozone layer," says Jonson.

Every UN nation took part, and CFC emissions rapidly declined. The agreement is considered one of the greatest environmental successes in history and has nearly halted harmful emissions completely, according to the UN's website.

Why do we still hear about holes in the ozone layer?

At times it can seem like the problem has returned. The Guardian recently reported that the ozone hole over Antarctica has gotten smaller, similar to what it was in 2019.

"If the agreement works so well, why does it seem like the holes in the ozone layer keep growing and shrinking?"

"Even though we've mostly stopped emitting CFC gases, it will take a long time before the ozone hole is completely gone," says Jonson.

He says that it can take 100 years or more for CFC gases to fully break down. In other words, hairspray and refrigerators have left lasting marks on our planet

Shows that it's possible

But what does it actually mean when we say there are holes in the ozone layer?

"It means that there is very little ozone at the altitudes where there is normally supposed to be the most," says Jonson.

UV radiation can harm skin, eyes, animals, and nature. 

"We want as little of that radiation as possible to reach the ground. A thick ozone layer helps shield us from harmful UV rays," he says.

Jonson also points out that it was great to see how the world came together to save the ozone layer. It shows that it's possible, and since then countries have created more agreements like it.

"It can also serve as inspiration for cutting greenhouse gas emissions," he says.

———

Translated by Alette Bjordal Gjellesvik

Read the Norwegian version of this article on ung.forskning.no

Related content:

Can animals also get sunburned?

Swimming with toxic sunscreen is not allowed here

Subscribe to our newsletter

The latest news from Science Norway, sent twice a week and completely free.

Sign up