The ozone layer is healing and the Antarctic ozone hole in 2024 was smaller than in previous years, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
This map shows the size and shape of the ozone hole over the South Pole on October 5, 2022, when it reached its single-day maximum extent for the year. Image credit: Joshua Stevens / NASA’s Earth Observatory.
The depth of 2024 Antarctic ozone hole — which appears over the Antarctic every spring — was below the 1990-2020 average, with a maximum ozone mass deficit of 46.1 million tons on September 29.
It was smaller than the relatively large holes between 2020 and 2023.
Its onset was relatively slow, and delayed ozone depletion was observed through the month of September, followed by a relatively rapid recovery after the maximum deficit was reached.
“This persistent later onset has been identified as a robust indication of initial recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole,” WMO experts said in a statement.
Scientists first sounded the alarm back in 1975, when WMO issued a statement ‘Modification of the ozone layer due to human activities and some possible geophysical consequences.’
If current policies remain in place, the ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 values (before the appearance of the ozone hole) by around 2066 over the Antarctic, by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2040 for the rest of the world, according to the most recent assessment in 2022.
“Despite the great success of the Montreal Protocol in the intervening decades, this work is not yet finished, and there remains an essential need for the world to continue careful systematic monitoring of both stratospheric ozone and of ozone-depleting substances and their replacements,” said Matt Tully, Chair of WMO’s Scientific Advisory Group on Ozone and Solar UV Radiation.
“WMO’s scientific research into the ozone layer dates back decades,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
“It is underpinned by trust, international collaboration and commitment to free data exchange — all cornerstones of the world’s most successful environmental agreement.”
“To date, the Montreal Protocol has led to the phase-out of over 99% of the production and consumption of controlled ozone-depleting substances, which were used in refrigeration, air conditioning, firefighting foam and even hairspray.”
“As a result, the ozone layer is now on track to recover to 1980s levels by the middle of this century, significantly reducing risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and ecosystem damage due to excessive UV exposure.”
