What can be done to help create, or slow the depletion of, stratospheric ozone?
This is the harder part of the problem. Creating stratospheric ozone is a slow process. Also, the causes of stratospheric ozone depletion are severe and long lasting. “It is estimated that one Chlorine atom can convert 100,000 molecules of Ozone into Oxygen before that chlorine becomes part of a less reactive compound.” ChloroFluorocarbons (CFC’s) are man-made and are thought to be the main cause of stratospheric ozone depletion. In the 1970’s the United States and sevearl other countries banned the use of CFC’s in aerosol-sprays. Since 1987, the United Nations have been trying to phase out the usage of ChloroFluorocarbons in air conditioning and refrigeration units, too. CFC’s are organic compounds composed of carbon, fluorine, chlorine, and hydrogen. CFC’s are manufactured under the trademarked name Freon (a DuPont trademark.) “Despite considerable action to protect the ozone layer, there is no clear evidence of a recovery. Climate change may now be contributing to ozone depletion.”
