Final answer:
Ozone depletion leads to harmful increases in UV radiation that causes health and environmental risks. Protection efforts have slowed the rate of ozone loss, but it remains an ongoing concern. CFCs have been a major contributor to ozone layer degradation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ozone layer is crucial for protecting the Earth from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. The possible results of ozone depletion include increased levels of UV radiation reaching the Earth, leading to skin cancer, cataracts, suppression of the immune system, reduced crop yields, reduced marine life, increased degradation of polymers, and contributors to climate change. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other pollutants have significantly contributed to the degradation of the ozone, with the largest ozone holes appearing over Antarctica. The Montreal Protocol was established to reduce the emission of these ozone-depleting substances, and since its implementation, the rate of ozone layer loss has slowed, but not stopped, suggesting a continued risk to the ozone layer.
It is important to take measures to protect against UV radiation due to ozone layer depletion, despite the existing levels of UV-B light from the sun. The ozone layer's ability to absorb a substantial portion of UV radiation decreases with depletion, which raises health risks and environmental concerns.