Good News for Earth After Efforts... Ozone Layer Is Recovering

"Recovery of the Ozone Layer to 1980 Levels by 2040"
Fruits of International Efforts Since the Montreal Protocol

The ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, is gradually recovering and thickening. This indicates that humanity's efforts to reduce the use of harmful substances to protect the ozone layer are producing real effects. United Nations scientists forecast that at the current pace, the ozone layer over most parts of the world could recover to 1980s levels by the 2040s.

[Image source=Pixabay]

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released the 'Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2022' report on the 9th (local time) containing these findings.

The UN stated that progress has been made 35 years after all countries worldwide agreed to stop producing chemicals that destroy the ozone layer through the 1987 Montreal Protocol.

The scientific community warned since the late 1980s that holes were forming in the ozone layer, identifying chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) ? chemicals found in refrigerants for refrigerators and air conditioners, sprays, solvents, and foaming agents ? as the cause.

Accordingly, countries around the world strengthened regulations on CFCs by signing the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and South Korea has been enforcing the Ozone Layer Protection Act since 1992 to implement this international agreement.

According to the report, the proportion of chlorine in the atmosphere has decreased to 11.5% compared to its peak in 1993, and bromine levels have also dropped to 14.5% compared to their peak in 1999.

Paul Newman, senior Earth scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and lead author of the report, said, "Emissions in China have decreased due to international pressure," adding, "Measures taken by the Chinese government and others have had a positive impact."

Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), stated in a press release, "The response to ozone has become a precedent for climate action," and added, "The achievements in phasing out chemicals that erode the ozone layer demonstrate how quickly humanity can transition from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases, limit temperature rise, and why it must do so."

Scientists predict that if current levels are maintained, the ozone layer between the polar regions will reach 1980 levels by 2040. Since the polar regions were severely damaged, recovery rates differ, with the Arctic expected to recover by 2045 and the Antarctic by 2066.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.