Preserving Earth’s protective umbrella

Ever since an enormous hole, twice the size of the US, was discovered in the Antarctic ozone layer by members of the British Antarctic Survey team in 1985, scientists are increasingly concerned about the protection and preservation of this fragile natural atmospheric layer.

- Nikunja Bihari Sahu

We are now conclusively convinced about the role of this layer to help preserve life. Located at a height of nearly 20 to 40 km in the lower stratosphere, the ozone layer serves as an umbrella by shielding us from the harmful UV radiations showered by the Sun. However, this delicate layer is now at risk of damage mainly because of certain chemical substances released due to human activities. Although many nations have shown their commitments through various international treatises like the Montreal Protocol (1987) to phase out all Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), our goal for a secured ozone layer is not yet achieved and a lot more has to be done in this direction to safeguard this precious life saving layer.