Antarctica's Ozone Hole Recovery Confirmed by MIT-Led Study

New research attributes the healing of the ozone layer to global reductions in ozone-depleting chemicals, with full recovery projected by 2035.

The Antarctic ozone hole is shrinking, with a new MIT-led study confirming a 95% confidence level in its recovery due to reduced ozone-depleting substances.
The study used a 'fingerprinting' method to isolate the impact of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) reductions from natural atmospheric variability.
The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, has been pivotal in phasing out CFCs, which were extensively used in refrigeration and aerosols.
Satellite observations and 15 years of data show a clear pattern of ozone recovery, with the strongest signals observed in 2018.
Scientists estimate that the Antarctic ozone layer could fully recover by 2035, marking a significant global environmental achievement.