Ozone and UV News coincide with World Ozone Day commemorates the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and the subsequent amendment to the treaty, known as the Kigali Agreement. That important international agreement saw the end of the production of “substances that deplete the ozone layer.”
Noting that the ozone layer is on the mend, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said further protective measures were needed.
“The Kigali Amendment to the Protocol, focusing on phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – potent global warming gases – can contribute to accelerating efforts to mitigate climate change and protect people and the planet,” the Secretary-General said. “And This is more necessary than ever as temperature records continue to be broken.“ .
Ozone layer restoration
The UN weather agency says the ozone layer could recover to 1980 levels – before any ozone hole appeared – by around 2066 over Antarctica if current policies are maintained.
This could also lead to a full recovery of the ice sheet by 2045 in the Arctic and 2040 in the rest of the world.
Matt Tully, President World Meteorological OrganizationThe UN Scientific Advisory Group on Ozone and Solar Ultraviolet Radiation said its Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) programme continues to provide vital support to ozone science through observations, analysis, modelling, data management and capacity building.
“It is important to maintain observations of ozone, ozone-depleting substances and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. with the quality, resolution and global coverage needed to account for changes in the ozone layer in the coming decades,” said Mr. Tully.Many factors will influence the expected recovery of the ozone layer.must be fully measured and understood.”
Other findings
The WMO bulletin also provides 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.
The report states that “total column ozone values in 2023 are within the range observed in previous years and are consistent with expectations, due to the depletion of chlorine and bromine that deplete stratospheric ozone.”
While the newsletter details positive changes to the Antarctic ozone hole, it finds that Atmospheric events can have a major impact on how the ozone hole develops cyclically..
WMO said scientists still have some gaps in their understanding of these variables and will continue to closely monitor the ozone layer to account for any unexpected changes.
