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What Ever Happened to the Hole in the Ozone Layer?

Secondary

Description

Around 30 years ago, scientist found a massive and growing hole in the ozone layer. How is it doing today? This video presents a quick and concise overview of the ozone layer - what it is, what caused the thinning of the ozone layer, the international response to that thinning (Montreal Protocol), and the current state of the ozone layer.

The video subscript is that the lesson learned from the ozone layer story has relevance for the current debate over climate change.

General Assessment

What skills does this resource explicitly teach?

In order to benefit from the viewing of the video, students must practice those listening skills that help them recognize the main idea and the supporting evidence. 

Strengths

While the ozone layer is no longer in the headlines, the response to the thinning of the ozone layer, as represented by the Montreal Protocol, is instructive, in that it illustrates what can be done when the international will is there.  

Recommendation of how and where to use it

What Ever Happened to the Ozone Layer? may be part of those resources used to study climate change. Students may explore to what extent the story of the ozone layer thinning provides a useful parallel in responding to the current challenge of climate change. 

The video also may support the teaching of chemistry units dealing with environmental chemistry and atmospheric gases

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
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    • Grade 9
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      • Science
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        • Environmental Chemistry
        • Knowledge and Employability Science: Environmental Chemistry (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
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      • Science
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        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
        • Science 14:Investigating Matter and Energy in the Environment
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      • Geography
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        • World Geography 30: World Patterns of Physical Elements
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        • Science 30: Chemistry and the Environment
  • British Columbia
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        • Chemical processes require energy change as atoms are rearranged
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        • Chemistry 11:Matter and energy are conserved in chemical reactions.
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        • Gases and the Atmosphere
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        • Current Topics in the Sciences 30S: Science, Technology, Society & the Environment
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        • Interdisciplinary Topics in Science 40S: Science, Technology, Society and the Environment
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        • Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Environment
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        • Learning and Living Sustainably (STSE)
        • Science 10 Science for Sustainable Societies
        • Science 10 Science for Sustainable Societies: Scientific Literacy
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        • Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Investigating Environmental Issues
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        • Environmental Science 3205: The Atmosphere and the Environment
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        • Earth Systems 3209: Introduction to Earth Systems Science
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        • Chemical processes require energy change as atoms are rearranged
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        • Science 30: Chemistry and the Environment
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        • Geography 10: Atmospheric Environment
        • Geography 10: Spaceship Earth
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        • AP Environmental Science: Atmospheric Pollution
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        • Science 30: Chemistry and the Environment
  • Ontario
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        • Exploring Canadian Geography: Physical Geography and Physical Processes in Canada
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        • Earth and Space Science(Univ. Prep) Introduction to Earth Sciences
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        • Interdependence: Atlantic Canada in the Global Community: Environment in the Global Community
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        • Geography 521A, Global Studies: Physical Patterns of the World
        • Geography 531A (World Geography): Physical Patterns of the World
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        • Environmental Science 621A: Environmental Challenges and Successes
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        • Geography 621A Global Issues : Inquiry- What are the issues?
  • Quebec
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        • The Contemporary World: Environment
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        • Contemporary World: Environment
  • Saskatchewan
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        • Earth Science 30: Foundations of Earth Science
  • Yukon Territory
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        • Chemical processes require energy change as atoms are rearranged
    • Grade 11
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      • Chemistry
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        • Chemistry 11:Matter and energy are conserved in chemical reactions.

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Ozone Depletion

Governance (1)

  • Government Regulations

Human Health & Environment (1)

  • Environmental Contaminants & Health Hazards

Science and Technology (1)

  • Appropriate Technology