What Venus has taught us about protecting the ozone layer

SAVING THE OZONE: Part six in our series exploring the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer dubbed the worlds most successful environmental agreement looks at the atmosphere of Venus and what it means for us on earth. In June 2012, Venus passed in front of the Sun. This wont happen again until 2117. The transit of Venus played a well-recognised, significant role in British exploration of Australia. But Venus has also played less-well-known roles in understanding the chemistry in the Earths atmosphere. Venus helped us recognise that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) can decompose stratospheric ozone (O₃).