Ozone Recovery

Due to global reduction of CFC (chlorofluorcarbons), the hole in the ozone layer is projected to make a full recovery by the year 2066. MIT led a study confirming that the Antarctic zone of the ozone layer is in fact healing. This directly resulted from global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances. 

A region in the Earth’s stratosphere with concentration of a molecule made of three oxygen atoms is called the ‘ozone layer’. The ozone layer provides an absorbent layer of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, which ultimately prevents damage to marine life, skin, eyes, and plants. 

The hole in the ozone layer is caused by human depleting substances reacting with sunlight in the extreme cold, sunless conditions of the polar spring. The hole in the ozone layer is necessarily not a hole, but a thinning caused by the use of CFCs. 

In the past many scientists, including the MIT team, have observed different signs of the ozone layer and levels in recovery, but this new study is the first to show the success of the human reduction of ozone-depleting substances. This is shown with high statistical confidence as well. 

The significance of this is that there aren't any other variables influencing the healing of the ozone layer hole such as fluctuating greenhouse gas emissions to the stratosphere, or natural weather variability. Although there has been healing in the ozone hole since 2016, these recent studies show how the healing trend is real and not due to natural weather variation.

“The conclusion is, with 95 percent confidence, it is recovering. Which is awesome. It shows we can actually solve environmental problems," study author and Professor of Environmental Studies and Chemistry, Susan Solomon said.

The WMO Ozone bulletin says specifically that the ozone hole in 2024 was significantly smaller than previous years. The direct correlation goes to the success of the Montreal Protocol which was an international treaty signed in 1987 that mandates phases of elimination of the ozone-depleting substances. 

These substances include chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs, and ODSs because of their negative effect on the ozone layer. This treaty not only had the successful plan for the healing of the ozone hole but also benefitting human health by preventing millions of cases of skin cancer.

“Forty years ago, nations came together to take the first step in protecting the ozone layer - guided by science, united in action,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. 

Also contributing to this scientific breakthrough was the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. The convention promoted cooperation between and among nations by exchanging information on the effects of human activity on the ozone hole and ozone layer. This led to a multilateral environmental agreement, which was then signed in 1985, that gave a framework for the reduction of the ozone-depleting substances.

“The shielding of the UV rays is so important to the prevention of skin cancer and other issues. Now that the ozone hole is projected to be healed, our earth is on its way to a healthy planet,” NHS junior Rusa Ellul said.

Approximately 443 million cases of skin cancer will be prevented from the reduction of harmful ultraviolet radiation. There are also an estimated 63 million cases of cataracts which will be prevented by the end of the century.

Although there is extreme scientific confidence and progression, it is significant that monitoring continues on the ozone hole and layer itself. The WMO-led community created and implemented principles to guide ozone and ultraviolet monitoring networks. The goal of these principles are to ensure national and broad observational and qualitative coverage of the ozone for as long as it takes to heal. 

Things like volcanic activity and other factors of natural phenomena can cause temporary variations in the size and healing of the ozone hole going from year to year. This is why it is important scientists and experts keep a close eye on the ozone layer.

“I think the healing of the ozone hole will really give us hope for the future and I think it shows that we can heal and reverse all the mistakes that are made,” NHS junior Skylar Urbina said.