1x03 The ozone hole: Science basis and the Montreal Protocol, with Dr Amanda Maycock and Prof Martyn Chipperfield

The Climate Press

The ozone layer is located between 10 and 15 km up in a layer of the atmosphere called the stratosphere. It plays a key role for us since it absorbs ultraviolet radiation coming from the Sun and avoids further damage on the living beings of our planet. In the mid 1980's, a big reduction in the thickness of the ozone layer was discovered over the Antarctic, which is known as the ozone hole. In this episode we talk with Amanda Maycock, associate professor in climate dynamics and Martyn Chipperfield, professor in atmospheric chemistry at the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science (ICAS) at the University of Leeds. From how the ozone layer is formed to the discovery of the ozone hole, Amanda and Martyn share with us the scientific background of the ozone hole together with curious history facts and anecdotes. We also talk about the Montreal Protocol which was signed in 1987 to protect the ozone layer and is considered the most successful treaty ever negotiated and implemented.