A UN study presented in Quito indicates that the Earth’s ozone layer could be reconstituted by 2060, completely. On the other hand, some experts warn that it is impossible to know exactly when all harmful substances will disappear from the atmosphere. The study’s report, presented at the 30th meeting of the signatories of the Montreal Protocol (1987), shows that the recovery of the ozone layer is taking place at around 1 to 3 % per decade thanks to the actions carried out, and that global warming could be reduced by as much as 0.4 degrees Celsius by the end of this century.
In the meeting, which will last until this Friday, the results of the four-yearly report carried out by the Scientific Evaluation Panel of the international agreement were presented, which leaves the experts in a mood of optimism and hope. The co-chair of the committee of experts, the US scientist David Fahey, explained that the report is based on three major issues, the first of which is to inform members “about the state of the ozone layer and the substances that kill it.”
At projected rates, the Northern Hemisphere and mid-latitude Earth’s ozone layer would recover entirely by the 2030s, followed by the Southern Hemisphere in the 2050s and the polar regions in the 2060s.
Earth’s Ozone Layer To Fully Recover By 2060
It is “very important,” as the US expert pointed out, because this measure will mean entering “new territory for the Montreal Protocol.” The second aspect of the 2018 Quito meeting is that the report presented deals with the situation of CFC-11 gases, those used in soft foam or insulating products, and which have a high capacity to destroy the atmosphere.
“We have discovered that these gases have not been reduced in the atmosphere in the way we expected, that is, new CFC-11 gases are being expelled,” the expert explained.
Another crucial aspect discussed in the report is how the Kigali amendment will affect ozone hole reduction and global warming. At the opening of the meeting, the technical secretary of the UN Ozone Secretariat, Tina Birmpili, said that if polluting emissions continue to increase, “the recovery of the ozone layer will be slowed down,” so she urged more research in this regard. “Success in this effort depends on continued compliance with the Montreal Protocol because each action, even if small, allows us to protect humanity and the planet,” she said.
Vadim is a passionate writer on various topics but especially on stuff related to health, technology, and science. Therefore, for Great Lakes Ledger, Vadim will cover health and Sci&Tech news.