It was reported last year that progress in the ozone layer's recovery had been positive. Now a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change is suggesting this recovery is advancing at an even quicker rate.  

The study analysed data from the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment and the US National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, revealing that levels of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) peaked in 2021 – five years earlier than projected.  

“This has been a huge global success. We’re seeing that things are going in the right direction,” said Luke Western, the study’s lead author from the University of Bristol. 

HCFCs were introduced as a temporary substitute for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were phased out under the Montreal Protocol in 2010. HCFCs are an alternative chemical that is less harmful and has a shorter atmospheric lifetime; the transition allowed industries time to adapt and develop more environmentally friendly alternatives.   

“CFCs can last in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, while HCFCs have a lifespan of about two decades,” Western explained. 

Western attributed the significant decrease in HCFCs to efforts prompted by the Montreal Protocol, as well as proactive industry shifts and stricter national regulations. Despite this positive finding, he cautions that the environmental impact of gases like HCFCs may linger for decades even after their production ceases.   

The United Nations Environment Programme estimated last year that it could take four decades before the ozone layer could recover to levels before the hole was first detected in the 1980s. 

As nations continue to phase out ozone-depleting substances by 2040, the study offers hope that with continued commitment and cooperation, the ozone layer will continue to heal at a positive recovery rate. It also shows the power of intergovernmental cooperation at the highest level, something that will be required in spades to limit the impacts of climate change in the future. 

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