In 1987, the Montreal Protocol, a global agreement to protect the ozone layer, was signed. The Protocol’s main objective was to reduce the emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and other ozone-destroying chemicals (ODCs) used as solvents and refrigerants. According to the United Nations (UN), the efforts also helped curb global climate crises because these greenhouse gases caused global warming.
In 2014, scientists discovered a slight increase in the stratospheric ozone along with evidence that the ozone-destroying chemicals have reduced by 10 – 15%. Two years later, scientists gathered sufficient data proving that the ozone layer is on a path to recovery. As per the report, the ozone layer is expected to heal between 2040 and 2070!
According to a study conducted by the United Nations this year(2023), if countries worldwide continue to adhere to the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer will heal faster, shielding the planet from harmful radiation linked to skin cancer, cataracts, and crop damage. Although the healing progress is slow, the report shows that the ozone layer is expected to heal completely in the Arctic by 2045 and the Antarctic by 2066.
