Jakarta, IO – A study conducted by the United Nations (UN) shows that the ozone hole above Antarctic sky could fully recover in about 40 years due to the global policy to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting substances.
The research monitored the progress of Montreal Protocol implementation, a global agreement reached in 1987. The protocol was created to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by strictly prohibiting chemicals that are often used as propellant in household products such as air conditioners.
UN Environment Program Ozone Secretariat head Megumi Seki said ozone recovery data in studies conducted over 30 years shows encouraging results and this must be maintained. The ozone hole over Antarctica had an average area of 8.91 million square miles (23.2 million square kilometers).
“The impact of the Montreal Protocol has had on climate change mitigation cannot be overstressed. Over the last 35 years the Protocol has become a true champion for the environment,” said Meg.
The Montreal Protocol has proven to be innovative and successful, and is the first treaty to achieve universal ratification by all countries in the world. This joint action is expected to avoid global warming of up to 0.5 degrees Celsius in the next century.
Ozone action sets a precedent for climate action. Our success in phasing out ozone-eating chemicals shows us what can and must be done – as a matter of urgency – to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases and so limit temperature increase,” said World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Petteri Taala. (bp)