New data from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that the ozone layer is on a path to recovery, with the hole over Antarctica shrinking this year to its seventh smallest size since 1992.
In September 2024, the hole spanned about 22.4 million square kilometers, significantly smaller than in previous years and a hopeful sign that global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting chemicals are paying off.
According to Dr. Paul Newman, the leader of NASA's ozone research team, the steady improvement over the past two decades is a direct result of international regulations that limited the use of chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
"The 2024 Antarctic hole is smaller than ozone holes seen in the early 2000s," Dr. Newman shared, noting that the progress reflects the positive impact of the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which aimed to phase out CFCs once common in aerosols and refrigeration.
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Ozone Layer Recovery Sees Progress
By preventing the release of these harmful chemicals, the protocol has helped limit damage to the ozone layer, allowing it to begin recovering gradually.
Each year, the hole forms over Antarctica as ozone-depleting chemicals react with cold temperatures, creating an opening that lets in increased ultraviolet radiation. This radiation, known to heighten risks of skin cancer and cataracts, is partially blocked by the ozone layer, making its recovery essential to human and environmental health.
This year, a favorable combination of reduced CFC levels and beneficial atmospheric conditions contributed to a smaller-than-usual ozone hole, with the highest depletion recorded between Sept. 7 and Oct. 13.
While the hole still covered an area three times the size of the contiguous United States at its largest, scientists believe the ozone layer could return to its natural thickness by 2066 if recovery continues.
Current predictions suggest a gradual improvement, though they caution that the full repair will take time due to the persistence of CFCs in the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Arctic ozone layer is also showing signs of improvement, experiencing a 14.5 percent increase in thickness compared to the post-1980 average, thanks to favorable weather conditions and ozone influx from the northern regions, according to MailOnline.
