A recent academic study made an alarming finding: The level of several ozone-depleting substances, which are meant to be regulated under a groundbreaking global agreement, are actually increasing in the atmosphere.
Let’s be clear: The Montreal Protocol–the late ‘80s international treaty that aims to protect the ozone layer of the atmosphere by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs)–has been a huge success overall. The levels of many ODSs have been reduced, and the ozone is recovering. That's why the study’s finding that atmospheric concentrations of five ozone-depleting chemicals are at a record high is so surprising.
