The ozone layer is a thin gas layer in the stratosphere that absorbs almost all harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. The ozone layer was destroyed by certain chemicals that humans generated such as Freon gas. Some chemicals break ozone molecules, making the ozone layer thinner and creating holes in it. However, recent studies found that the ozone layer can still be recovered naturally by the year 2040.

 In 1985, British scientists discovered the holes in the ozone layer for the first time. If the ozone layer is destroyed, people can be exposed to ultraviolet rays. It can cause skin cancer or cataracts. To solve those problems, the Montreal Protocol was established in 1987. The Montreal Protocol regulates the production and consumption of certain chemicals that can damage the ozone layer. Since that agreement, the use of ozone layer-depleting substances has fallen greatly. In recent years, the ozone layer hasn't been further destroyed, and it has even started to slowly recover. It turns out that the ozone layer can be recovered naturally as time passes when the emission of ozone layer-depleting substances is reduced. The UNEP predicted that the ozone layer will be recovered to the level of the 1980s by the mid-21st century. This case clearly shows that international cooperation can positively affect the environment. It was also selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs’ by Nature.

 The ozone layer recovery is shocking because it is widely believed that recovering an environment that is once destroyed is almost impossible. Public education is one of the elements that reinforce this social norm. There is a chapter titled 'Weather and Our Lives' in the science textbook in the 2015 educational curriculum for 5th-grade students of elementary school. In this chapter, students learn about climate change due to the ozone layer destruction and the cause and process of the ozone layer destruction. Similar content is taught to 3rd-grade students of middle school, in a chapter called 'Earth's Atmosphere and Weather.' Therefore, most Koreans are aware of the ozone layer problem. The new educational curriculum should include the fact that the ozone layer can be restored. It is inspiring that humankind can preserve the environment through regulations of harmful chemical substances and changes in business paradigms. Thus, providing a sense of efficacy by presenting examples of successful international cooperation for environmental protection can be a method of education.

 The earth has a greater self-purification ability than people thought. Also, when humanity works together, impossible things become possible. It is important to have will and effort for environmental protection, but it is also important to be aware of current scientific facts. People should pay attention to the news about the earth's environment.

76th Reporter • CHOI BO YOUN • invierno.y@kyonggi.ac.kr