Lauren Sommer
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
High in the atmosphere, there's a layer of ozone gas that acts like sunscreen for the Earth.
It helps block harmful UV radiation from the sun.
But in the 1980s, scientists discovered a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica.
It was caused by chemicals produced for refrigerators and air conditioners.
which break down ozone once they're released.
Countries came together in 1992 to phase out the use of those chemicals.
Scientists at NASA and NOAA say the improving ozone hole shows those policies are working, and they expect the hole in the ozone layer to be mostly repaired by mid-century.
Many countries have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, which are warming up the atmosphere like a big blanket.
But right now, they're not hitting those goals.
The world is still on track for 5 degrees Fahrenheit of warming by the end of the century, compared to pre-industrial temperatures, according to the United Nations Environment Program.
Research shows that would create more extreme storms, heat waves, and droughts.
Countries are gathering next week to discuss their climate change efforts, but the U.S.
is not planning to send an official delegation.
In its first day in office, President Trump announced that the U.S.
would pull out of the international agreement on climate change.