A regular assessment is conducted of the effects of the Montreal Protocol in place given how bleak of the world's future might have been if nothing was done to prevent the depletion of the ozone layer. However, even with all the work done, Lives have been taken due to the ultraviolet light that is getting through the Earth's atmosphere and flooding the planet. However, the number of people who died pale in comparison to the impending disaster if nothing was done to address the concerns.
It was back in the 1970s when the possibility of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and its presence will harm the ozone layer that protects the Earth from ultraviolet rays. Then, industries dismissed the idea as something that remains only at the theoretical level. However, this did not stop researchers from pursuing the study to find alternatives to CFCs in business and industries.
By the mid-80s, new evidence for alternatives has emerged. Replacement sources for CFCs have been identified and made available. This led the world leaders to sign the Montreal Protocol. It has set the guidelines for the timeline when the world could replace the gases that pose danger with gases that keep the industries working without harming the ozone layer.
A report of this has been published in the journal Nature Sustainability. The report also reveals that after 4 decades since the problem was identified, people now have more knowledge of the direction of the depletion of the ozone layer and how it impacts the rest of the world. Nevertheless, it was clear that some of the serious threats were prevented. Without the Protocol that has been put in place, the increasing cases of skin cancer would have gotten worse.
"Without the Montreal Protocol, the level of UV radiation in the near future would have affected how everyone. Even a few hours spent outside would have caused people to suffer from sunburn," said Professor Robyn Lucas, a researcher from the Australian National University.
The depletion of the Ozone Layer has been thought of as the reason for the 60,000 annual number of deaths due to melanoma. However, the data presented by Lucas reveals that the damage to the skin cells usually occurs during childhood years and only manifests as the patient becomes more exposed to UV rays.
CFCs have been identified to cause damage to the ozone layer, but they are also functioning as powerful warming gases that contribute to the problem of global warming. "Modelling studies reveals that without the Montreal Protocol in place, the mean of global temperatures would have risen by more than 2 degrees Celsius by 2070," the review notes
It comes with its own benefits, however, the damages that it comes with outweigh the benefits.
