Our ozone layer will be healed completely by 2066
In the past few months, all we have heard about is climate disasters and catastrophes in various parts of the world. Now, there is a ray of hope for the planet: the Earth's ozone layer is on course to restore entirely within decades, as ozone-depleting chemicals are phased out.
What: According to a new study released by the United Nations, the ozone layer is on track to recover within four decades. The report was presented by an UN-backed panel of experts, presented on January 9 at the American Meteorological Society's 103rd annual meeting.
On track to full recovery: The report, which is published every four years, says that nearly 99% of banned ozone-depleting substances have been phased out.
It also says that the ozone layer, which is responsible for protecting us from the harmful rays of the Sun is about to start recovering; and if the current global policies remain the same, we might see the ozone layer restored to 1980 values (when the ozone hole first appeared) by:
- 2066 over Antarctica (where ozone depletion was the worst)
- 2045 over the Arctic
- 2040 over the rest of the world
A fight since the 80s: Scientists detected a huge gap in the ozone layer in 1985. The Montreal Protocol was signed just two years later; with 46 countries pledging to phase out harmful toxins like chlorofluorocarbon-11 that were used as solvents and refrigerants.
The agreement went on to become the first UN pact to be universally ratified, and over 99% of prohibited ozone-depleting compounds have already been phased out. The Antarctic ozone hole continued to grow until 2000, when its size and depth began to improve gradually.
So, according to UN reports, the Montreal Protocol's goal appears to be met.
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