Is it possible to restore the ozone layer

Since , parts of the ozone layer have recovered at a rate of per cent every ten years, the latest Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion estimates. The MontrealProtocol has averted more than billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions going into the atmosphere from Regenerating the ozone has helped curb the effects of climate change - with approximately billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from to averted by a strong protective shield.

As of late last year, the World Meteorological Organization WMO reported the global concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is still steadily on the rise, with consequential warming effects on the planet and ozone-teardown.

Damaging effects of ozone-depleting substances allow increased ultraviolet or UV rays to reach the earth, increasing incidents of skin cancers, eye cataracts, compromised immune systems and harm to agricultural lands and forests.

Phasing them out could avoid as much as 0. Over the southern hemisphere and in the more problematic polar regions, recovery will take longer, until the middle of this century in the former and about in the latter case. The results, presented on Monday in a four-year assessment of the health of the ozone layer, represent a rare instance of global environmental damage being repaired, and a victory for concerted global action by governments.

Scientific evidence of the depletion of the ozone layer over the Antarctic was first presented in , and in the Montreal protocol was signed, binding world governments to reduce and phase out the harmful chemicals identified as causing the problem.

Times Syndication Service. The ozone layer is healing — but it could take another 50 years to completely recover Advertisement. BI India Bureau. At this rate, Northern Hemisphere and mid-latitude ozone are likely to recover completely in the next 10 years. The ozone layer is slowly healing. The ozone layer is on the road to recovery. Although the use of halons and chlorofluorocarbons has been discontinued, they will remain in the atmosphere for many decades.

Even if there were no new emissions, there is still more than enough chlorine and bromine present in the atmosphere to destroy ozone at certain altitudes over Antarctica from August to December.

The formation of the ozone hole is still expected to be an annual spring event. Its size and depth are governed to a large degree by the meteorological conditions particular for the year. As of the first week of August , the ozone hole reappeared and is rapidly growing and has extended to 23 million square kilometers on 13 September which is above the average since the mid s.

The lowest ozone value in the during this seasons was around DU. The hole fluctuates in size annually and it usually reaches its largest area during the coldest months in the southern hemisphere, from late September to early October. Those observations are being combined with numerical modelling by different organizations and institutions NASA , the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service implemented by ECMWF , ECCC , KNMI and others to provide near -real time information and analyses on the ozone levels at different parts of the stratosphere, the location and dimensions of the ozone depleted area.

In , there were exceptionally large ozone holes over the Antarctic and Arctic, reflecting extreme meteorological conditions. Specific dynamic conditions in the stratosphere in led to the smallest Antarctic ozone hole since its discovery. This shows the need for continued vigilance and observations. The theme for this year is Montreal Protocol — keeping us, our food and vaccines cool.

Ozone depleting substances ODS are also greenhouse gases GHG and their abundance in atmosphere over the years has made an important contribution to the radiative forcing of climate.