The Earth’s ozone layer, which protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is slowly healing. This is according to a new United Nations report, which states that if progress continues, the hole in the ozone layer is expected to be fully healed by 2066. The healing of the ozone layer can be attributed to the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which aimed to phase out the use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These substances are used to manufacture aerosol spray and refrigerants.
The report states that the ozone hole over Antarctica, which is the largest and most severe, has decreased in size by around 1.7 million square miles since the year 2000. This represents a decrease of around 20% in the size of the hole. The ozone layer over the Arctic has also shown improvement, with a decrease in ozone depletion of around 40%.
The healing of the ozone layer benefits not only the environment but also human health. The ozone layer protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, which can cause skin cancer and cataracts in humans as well as damage to crops and marine life. The healing of the ozone layer also has a positive impact on climate change, as ozone-depleting substances are also greenhouse gases.
The healing of the ozone layer is a positive step forward, but the report states that it is important to continue to phase out ozone-depleting substances in order to ensure the healing continues. It is also important to address the issue of new ozone-depleting substances, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are commonly used as a replacement for CFCs in refrigeration and air conditioning.