For some time now, the ozone layer has been suffering the damages caused by chemical substances responsible for its depletion. For this reason, the Montreal Protocol was implemented, a key international agreement that aims to gradually eliminate these chemical substances, favoring its regeneration. In this sense, NASA estimates that the layer could fully regenerate by the year 2066.
In a statement, the space agency highlighted that, during the peak of the 2024 depletion season, the ozone hole reached the seventh smallest size since its recovery began in 1992, which could be considered good news.
What does the recovery of the ozone layer mean for human health?
The ozone hole, especially over the South Pole, was considerably smaller in 2024 compared to other years. This represents a crucial change, as areas with reduced ozone allow greater UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface, which could increase cases of skin cancer and cataracts.
According to NASA, this progress is the result of the continuous decrease in destructive chemical substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons, and an unexpected influx of ozone from the north of Antarctica.
The ozone layer is recovering.
An encouraging progress
According to Paul Newman, leader of NASA’s ozone research team, “the gradual improvement observed demonstrates that international efforts to reduce chemical substances that destroy the ozone layer are yielding positive results.”
Furthermore, the space agency pointed out that the ozone layer, located in the upper atmosphere, acts as a planetary sunscreen, helping to protect Earth from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun.
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