Ozone Layer On Track To Return To 1980s Levels By Mid-Century: Report
The Earth's protective ozone layer is on track to return to 1980s levels by the middle of this century, with the 2024 Antarctic ozone hole smaller than in recent years, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a new report.
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The ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980s levels by the middle of this century.
New Delhi:
According to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Earth's protective ozone layer is progressing toward recovery to 1980s levels by mid-century, with the 2024 Antarctic ozone hole being smaller compared to recent years.
The WMO Ozone Bulletin 2024 indicated that the reduced ozone depletion this year was partially attributed to natural atmospheric conditions, but emphasized that the long-term improvement demonstrates the effectiveness of global environmental action.
The bulletin was published on World Ozone Day, which also commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention that established the framework for international collaboration on ozone protection.
"Forty years ago, nations united to take the first step in protecting the ozone layer, guided by scientific evidence and collaborative action," stated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
"The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol became an exemplary case of multilateral success. Today, we're witnessing the healing of the ozone layer. This achievement shows that when nations respond to scientific warnings, progress becomes possible," he added.
The Montreal Protocol has successfully phased out more than 99 percent of controlled ozone-depleting substances that were previously widely used in refrigeration systems, air conditioning units, firefighting foams and aerosol products.
As a consequence, the ozone layer is projected to recover to 1980s conditions by mid-century, which will reduce risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to ecosystems, according to the WMO bulletin.
"The theme for World Ozone Day is From Science to Global Action. This parallels WMO's 75th anniversary slogan Science for Action. This alignment is not coincidental," remarked WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
Matt Tully, Chair of WMO's Scientific Advisory Group on Ozone and Solar UV Radiation, noted: "Despite the significant success of the Montreal Protocol over the intervening decades, this work remains incomplete, and there continues to be an essential need for the world to maintain careful systematic monitoring of both stratospheric ozone and ozone-depleting substances along with their replacements." The WMO reported that the total stratospheric ozone cover was higher than in previous years. The 2024 Antarctic ozone hole reached its maximum ozone mass deficit of 46.1 million tonnes on September 29, which was smaller than the large holes observed between 2020 and 2023.
Its development was relatively gradual, with delayed depletion in September followed by a rapid recovery phase.
"This persistent later onset has been identified as a clear indication of initial recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole," the bulletin concluded.