Whatever happened to the hole in the ozone layer? - Stephanie Honchell Smith
Let’s Begin…
In the 1980s, the world faced a huge problem: there was a rapidly expanding hole in the ozone layer. If it continued to grow, rates of skin cancer could skyrocket, photosynthesis would be impaired, agricultural production would plummet, and entire ecosystems would collapse. So, what happened? Stephanie Honchell Smith shares how decisive global cooperation helped restore the ozone layer.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
For other examples of taking decisive action to solve an environmental problem, take a look at how scientists in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest transformed the major threat of acid rain into a minor issue. Or, let's talk about the Netherlands. After a brutal storm surge killed nearly 2,000 people, the Dutch government created Delta Works, the most sophisticated flood prevention system in the world. Find out how it keeps the Netherlands above water, with this video.
Now more than ever, we need to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and turn these ideas into action.
Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.
About Earth School
We can save the world. Speed and Scale shows us how to unlock a cleaner, healthier and safer future by laying out a roadmap that will get us to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. How’s it going to work? We need to electrify transportation, decarbonize the grid, fix food, protect nature, clean up industry and remove carbon. To learn how we’re going to do all that - and to learn how you can take action now - explore this page.
Meet The Creators
- Video created by TED-Ed
- Lesson Plan created by TED Ed