Ozone Layer on Track for Recovery Amid Volcanic Challenges

The World Meteorological Organization reports that the ozone layer is recovering despite disruptions from a volcanic eruption near Tonga. Thanks to global efforts to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals, the layer is expected to reach 1980 levels by 2066 over the Antarctic. Significant contributions come from the Montreal Protocol and its 2016 Kigali amendment.

The ozone layer is on the path to recovery, despite the disruptive effects of a volcanic eruption in the South Pacific, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO attributes this progress to international efforts to eliminate ozone-depleting chemicals.

According to the latest data, the ozone layer could return to its 1980 levels by 2066 over the Antarctic, 2045 over the Arctic, and 2040 for the rest of the world. While the 2022 eruption near Tonga caused a short-term increase in ozone depletion above Antarctica, the overall impact was limited. The ozone layer is crucial in shielding Earth from ultraviolet radiation, which poses health risks like skin cancer.

The Montreal Protocol, enacted in 1989, and its 2016 Kigali amendment have been fundamental in phasing out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), respectively. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres heralded the protocol's success as a beacon of hope amid strained multilateral cooperation. China, the world's largest HFC producer, faces significant challenges in adhering to these international agreements but is working to reduce HFC production by 85% from 2013 to 2045.

(With inputs from agencies.)