The Ozone Hole Is Smaller Than It Has Been in Decades
The ozone hole over Antarctica in 2024 was the smallest it's been in decades. This is according to a recent statement from the United Nations. Its size was even smaller than the average from 1990 to 2020. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called this development "proof" that progress is possible when countries heed the warnings of science.
The ozone layer is an invisible shield located ten to fifty kilometres up, which weakens harmful ultraviolet radiation. In the 1980s, scientists discovered a massive ozone hole over Antarctica, caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) found in refrigerators, air conditioners, and spray cans. The scientific warning led to the 1985 Vienna Convention and, two years later, the Montreal Protocol, an agreement that is now considered a model for effective international cooperation.
According to the UN Environment Programme, ozone-depleting substances like CFCs have now been almost completely phased out worldwide. The hole in the ozone layer is closing step by step. Forecasts suggest the ozone layer could fully recover by the middle of the century.
Next Step: Reduce HFCs and Help the Climate
However, the work isn't done yet, says the UN. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol now aims to gradually reduce climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). According to UN Secretary-General Guterres, implementing this agreement could also prevent up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of global warming. This would be a crucial contribution to keeping the 1.5-degree goal of the Paris Agreement within reach.
While the Earth is rebuilding its UV shield, sun protection remains important for us all. You can protect your skin with these simple daily routines:
Use sunscreen: Apply it daily, even on cloudy days.
Wear sunglasses: Protects your eyes from UV radiation and prevents damage to the retina.
Avoid midday sun: The sun's radiation is strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Apps and UV monitoring stations can show you the exact UV index.
Seek shade: You can significantly reduce your exposure under trees, parasols, or hats.
The story of the ozone hole shows that even global environmental problems can be solved when science is taken seriously and political decisions are consistently implemented. What seemed like an unstoppable disaster in the 1980s is now a success story.
Source
UN News: Healing the ozone layer: ‘Guided by science, united in action’
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