Geneva, Sep 16 (EFE).- Scientists have confirmed, through their constant observations and measurements, that the ozone layer is actually in a long-term recovery phase and the concentration of harmful substances in the atmosphere continues to decline, the agency said on Monday. World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
“Since some ozone-depleting substances also function as greenhouse gases, phasing them out is an added benefit for the climate,” says the organization’s annual report on the state of the ozone layer.
However, the organization also emphasizes that we should not take everything for granted and that monitoring of the state of the ozone layer, and in particular the hole over Antarctica, must continue.
This information has been released to coincide with World Ozone Day, which celebrates the Montreal Treaty, considered the most successful environmental treaty of all time as it led to the gradual elimination of substances harmful to the ozone layer.
Experts believe that now is the time to take further steps in protecting this layer that surrounds the Earth and reduces the amount of radiation that reaches the Earth’s crust.
To this end, calls have been made for progress in phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent gases that heat up the climate, which is considered more important than ever in view of recent record temperatures.
If current policies are maintained, the ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 levels (before the appearance of the ozone hole) by 2066 in Antarctica, by 2045 in the Arctic and by 2040 in the rest of the world. EFE
