Ozone layer will be completely healed — UNEP

MANILA, Philippines — The planet’s protective shield of gas or ozone layer will be completely healed as far as some regions are concerned by the 2030s, according to the United Nations environmental agency.

The latest Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion estimates that since 2000, parts of the ozone layer have recovered at a rate of one to three percent every 10 years. 

“At projected rates the Northern Hemisphere and mid-latitude ozone will heal completely by the 2030s, with the Southern Hemisphere repaired by the 2050s, and Polar Regions in the following decade,” the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said.

UNEP said the phaseout of controlled uses of ozone-depleting substances has not only helped replenish the protective layer for future generations but is also helping guard human health by filtering harmful rays from reaching Earth.

The recognition of this success comes on World Ozone Day, marked Sept. 16. This year celebrates “32 Years and Healing”; a commemoration of the international commitment to protect the ozone layer and climate under the historic Montreal Protocol, which has led to the phaseout of 99 percent of ozone-depleting chemicals in refrigerators, air-conditioners and other consumer products.

Regenerating the ozone has helped curb the effects of climate change with approximately 135 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 to 2010 averted by a strong protective shield.

As of late last year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported the global concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is still steadily on the rise, with consequential warming effects on the planet and ozone-teardown.

Damaging effects of ozone-depleting substances allow increased ultraviolet or UV rays to reach Earth, increasing incidents of skin cancer, eye cataracts, compromised immune systems and harm to agricultural lands and forests.

The Montreal Protocol is the only UN treaty to be adopted by all member states, with all parties sharing responsibilities relating to phasing out ozone-depleting substances, controlled trade of such substances, annual data reporting and other matters.

“We can celebrate success but we must all push to keep hold of these gains, in particular by remaining vigilant and tackling any illegal sources of ozone-depleting substances as they arise,” UNEP said.

The agency called for support of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which entered into force last Jan. 1.

The agreement targets the phasing out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), or climate-warming gases, which could avoid global temperature rise of up to 0.4 degrees Celsius by end-century.