The UN reported on Monday that by 2066 the ozone layer will be fully recovered thanks to the worldwide ban on the use of chemicals that caused the appearance of a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica.
99% of the chemicals that caused the hole in the ozonosphere have gone unused since their ban in 1989
The Scientific Evaluation Panel of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, an international agreement that entered into force in 1989 to eliminate the use of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer, points in report announced on Monday that 99% of banned substances are no longer used, which is allowing the recovery of the ozonosphere.
Scientists indicate that, if current policies are maintained, by 2066 the ozone layer in Antarctica will have recovered to 1980 levels.
“The ozone layer is recovering, which is fantastic news. It cannot be overemphasized how much the Montreal Protocol has contributed to the mitigation of climate change. Over the last 35 years, the Protocol has become a true defender of the environment “, said Meg Seki, Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
The impact that the Montreal Protocol has had on climate change mitigation cannot be ignored.
Meg Seki
An amendment to the Montreal Protocol passed in 2016 calls for phasing out the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which, while not directly damaging ozone, do contribute to climate change.
“Assessments and analyzes by the Scientific Evaluation Panel continue to be an essential component of the Protocol’s work, helping to inform policy and decision makers,” added Seki.
According to the Protocol’s scientific panel, phasing out the use of HFCs will reduce global warming by 0.3 to 0.5 degrees Celsius by 2100.
Stratospheric injection, a proposal with possible negative effects
The group of scientists also warned about the possible negative effects of injecting products into the stratosphere to reduce climate change.
The so-called Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) has been proposed as a possible method to limit the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface and thus reduce climate change.
EIA can have serious consequences on temperatures, ozone and gas
However, the scientific panel warned that the IEA could affect stratospheric temperatures, the circulation and production of ozone, as well as the rates of destruction and transport of the gas.
The ozone layer, or ozonosphere, is an area of the stratosphere that protects the planet from ultraviolet rays emitted by the Sun. The ozonosphere absorbs between 97% and 99% of ultraviolet radiation.
Without the protection of ozone, a gas made up of three oxygen atoms, ultraviolet radiation from the Sun would irreversibly harm life on the planet.
Reference:
“Scientific assessment of ozone depletion” UN Environment Program