A UN meteorological agency said in a report on September 16, 2025 that the Earth's protective ozone layer is healing and the ozone hole in 2024 was smaller than in recent years.The Ozone Bulletin of the World Meteorological Organization reported that the low level of ozone depletion observed in 2024 was partly due to naturally occurring atmospheric factors which drive year - to - year fluctuations. However, the long - term positive trend reflects the success of concerted international action.To date, the Montreal Protocol has led to the phase - out of over 99 percent 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.
|
|