In 1985 British scientist Jonathan Shanklin and colleagues published a study that shocked the world. The study revealed a hole in the Earth’s atmosphere right over Antarctica. It had been caused over time by chemicals known as CFCs, used in things like fridges, air conditioning units and aerosol cans. These were destroying the layer of ozone in the stratosphere which protects us from most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation - without it, cases of skin cancer would soar. Less than two years after the discovery, world leaders signed an agreement called the Montreal Protocol, committing to phase out CFCs. It has been described as the most successful international treaty of all time - every UN country has signed up, and ozone is expected to return to its previous levels around the middle of the century. So what can we learn from how we tackled the ozone hole in how we address climate change?
First broadcast - 29 Nov 2021
Presenters Neal Razzell and Kate Lamble are joined by: Jonathan Shanklin, Meterologist at the British Antarctic Survey, Dr Paul Newman, chief scientist for Earth Science at the Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center, Tina Birmpili, former executive secretary of the Ozone Secretariat, Dr Anita Ganesan, associate professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of Bristol. Producer: Sophie Eastaugh Researcher: Natasha Fernandes
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Your questions answered: Climate change for kids, solar power, music for plants
What does China's green tech revolution mean for the world?
Can we build better cities for mental health and the climate?
Can we save money and save the planet?
What is caused (and not caused) by climate change?
Bonus Ep: the climate activists who sued their government (and won)
Can we save the world's coral?
Can fertilisers go green?
Why are electric scooters, mopeds and rickshaws booming?
How is climate change affecting animal migration?
How does extreme heat affect pregnant women?
Your questions answered: Reversing climate change, eating avocados, electric vehicles and more
What's it like living a "sustainable" life?
What's it like being a 'Chief Heat Officer'?
Could solar farms in space power Earth?
Do we need a 'Category 6' for hurricanes?
Why is nuclear power back in fashion?
Are wetlands our secret weapon for fighting climate change?
Why is climate change fuelling tension in the Arctic?
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