Thursday 11 September 2014

Ozone layer begins to recover

The protective layer of the world’s atmosphere is “well on track to recovery” in the next few decades, the UN’s environment agency said on Wednesday.

Research by 300 scientists put the ozone layer’s healing down to international efforts to emit fewer ozone-depleting gases.

UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said: "There are positive indications that the ozone layer is on track to recovery towards the middle of the century.

“The Montreal Protocol - one of the world's most successful environmental treaties - has protected the stratospheric ozone layer and avoided enhanced UV radiation reaching the earth's surface."

There are still “huge” challenges he added, emphasising more action is needed to protect the ozone layer.