By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – World Meteorological Organization’s annual Ozone and UV Bulletin published on Monday revealed strong evidence that the ozone layer is well on track for a long-term recovery.
The Ozone and UV Bulletin’s release coincides with World Ozone Day which celebrates the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and the later amendment to the pact, known as the Kigali Agreement. That key international agreement saw an end to the production of “damaging ozone-depleting substances.”
UN chief António Guterres said protection measures are essential and noted that the ozone layer is on the road to recovery.
“The Protocol’s Kigali Amendment, which focuses on phasing down hydrofluorocarbons powerful climate-warming gases – can contribute to advancing climate mitigation efforts, protecting people and planet,” Guterres said.
UN weather agency said ozone could recover to 1980 levels – before any hole in the ozone layer appeared – by around 2066 over the Antarctic if current policies remain.
This could also lead to full recovery of the layer by 2045 over the Arctic and 2040 for the rest of the world.
Matt Tully, Chair of WMO Scientific Advisory Group on Ozone and Solar UV Radiation said the organization’s Global Atmosphere WatchProgramme is continuously providing crucial support for ozone science by means of observations, analysis, modelling, data stewardship and capacity-building.
“It is critical that observations of ozone, ozone-depleting substances and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are maintained with the quality, resolution and global coverage necessary to account for changes in ozone over the coming decades,” Mr. Tully said. “Many factors will influence the expected recovery of ozone, which must be fully measured and understood.”
WMO’s bulletin provided details on strategies to protect human health and the environment from ultraviolet radiation while exploring the impact of weather patterns and a significant volcanic eruption, on the Antarctic ozone hole in 2023.
It stated that the “total column ozone values in 2023 were within the range observed in previous years and in line with expectations, owing to the beginning of the decline of ozone-depleting chlorine and bromine in the stratosphere.”
The bulletin gives positive changes to the Antarctic ozone hole, it found that are atmospheric events can have a big impact on how the ozone hole develops periodically.
WMO said scientists have some gaps in understanding these variables and will continue to monitor the ozone layer closely to explain any unexpected changes.
Comments are closed.