The United Nations released a report this week that states the Ozone hole over the Antarctic is healing and could be repaired within our lifetime.
In a report regarding the Ozone layer, the United Nations in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA and the European Commission have confirmed that the Ozone is healing slowly but surely.
According to the Montreal protocol the following emissions where the cause of the Ozone depletion. The protocol aimed at restricting the use of these gases to prevent further damage to the Ozone. These chemicals were found in consumer products like refrigerators and aerosol cans that were harmful to the ozone layer.
Ozone depletion is caused by human-related emissions of ODSs and the subsequent release of reactive halogen gases, especially chlorine and bromine, in the stratosphere. ODSs include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), bromine-containing halons and methyl bromide, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and methyl chloroform.
The report has confirmed that actions taken under the protocol have led to decreases in the atmospheric abundance of controlled ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and the start of the recovery of stratospheric ozone. Long-lived ODSs controlled under the protocol have continued to decline since the 2014 Assessment.
“The Antarctic ozone hole is recovering, while continuing to occur every year. As a result of the Montreal Protocol much more severe ozone depletion in the polar regions has been avoided.”
The Antarctic ozone hole is expected to gradually close, with springtime total column ozone returning to 1980 values in the 2060s. This is good news and this can be achieved as long as the guidlines set by the protocol are adheared to.
The full scientific report can be read here.
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