What’s Happening with the Ozone Hole?

Presented by Dr Andrew Klekociuk from Australian Antarctic Division

20 July 2022, Wednesday  8:00 PM

Physics Lecture Theatre 1, UTAS, Sandy Bay

Human-caused depletion of ozone in Earth’s stratosphere remains the focus of scientific attention because of its importance to the health of the biosphere and its influence on global climate. The ‘ozone hole’ phenomenon, which was first identified in the 1980s, has been brought under control by international cooperation under the Montreal Protocol which is clearly working to improve the global state of the ozone layer. Above Antarctica, the overall size of the annual ozone hole has reduced since the early 2000s, but the amount of ozone depletion is subject to significant year-to-year variability which is intimately linked with climate effects.

In this presentation, I will review the history and causes of stratospheric ozone depletion, and provide an overview of the current health of the ozone layer and its likely future trajectory. I will also outline ozone-climate links, discuss human and environmental effects of ozone depletion, and highlight consequences of the 2019/20 Australian Black Summer fires and the 2022 Hunga volcanic eruption on the Antarctic ozone hole.

Bio

Andrew is a Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division where undertakes research on the polar atmosphere, including the evolution of the Antarctic ozone hole and the effects of climate change and variability. His recent activities include co-authorship of two forthcoming environmental assessments: the 2021 Australia State of the Environment report, and the United Nations 2022 report on Environmental Effects of Ozone Depletion, UV Radiation and Interactions with Climate Change. Andrew is a graduate of the University of Tasmania, and holds research affiliations with the University, and the University of Melbourne and the University of Adelaide. He currently serves on the committee of the International Ozone Commission.