The ozone layer is part of the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere with highly concentrated molecules made up of three oxygen atoms. In the stratosphere, it acts as a critical shield by absorbing solar radiation that is harmful to living things. Although it is already subject to natural fluctuations in distribution and thickness, scientists noticed a link between certain man-made chemicals and ozone depletion in the 1970s. In the early 1980s, researchers discovered a giant hole over Antarctica, documenting its degradation. Seven years later – in 1987 – the countries were able to agree on a set of measures to protect this important element of the Earth’s atmosphere.

When will the ozone layer recover?

Scientists first reported in October 2022 that global efforts recorded a significant slowdown in the 2010s, but the amount of ozone-depleting chemicals released into the atmosphere has still declined since 2018. Generally, About 99% of these harmful compounds have been phased out from our industry.. If things continue to go as planned, by 2066 the ozone layer will have reached pre-1980 levels all over the world, including Antarctica.

After a year of dismal UN reports on climate change, the report on the ozone layer is “great news”. in the last 35 years [Монреальський] protocol has become a true defender of the environment,
– says UN Ozone Secretary Meg Seki in a statement to the press.

Thanks to the global consensus, scientific evaluation and quality practice, humanity has managed to prevent a situation that could become a major planetary crisis. Rapid and global action was taken to phase out the use of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. But then, Between 2012 and 2018 the world started to turn aroundand the recovery in the ozone layer slowed down. The reason was found in China, whose production produces the chemical substance CFC-11. Since 2018, the situation has started to improve again.

The UN report is good news for the health of our skin and eyes, as well as good news for tackling climate change. Numerous ozone-depleting compounds are also super potent greenhouse gases. Example, CFCs can cause global warming 10,000 times more than carbon dioxide. By reducing emissions of CFCs and other chemicals, the Montreal Protocol has become one of the most effective global climate policy tools we have.