Hole in ozone layer ‘to be filled by 2066’

THE ozone layer is on track to recover in around four decades due to a major global reduction in the use of harmful chemicals, scientists have said.

The phasing out of nearly 99 per cent of banned ozone- depleting substances has succeeded in safeguarding the layer, which is recovering in the upper stratosphere, a UN-backed panel of experts claimed.

An international agreement – the Montreal Protocol – came into force in 1989 after scientists raised the alarm over a potential ‘hole’ in the Earth’s ozone layer which protects humans against harmful ultraviolet rays. It bans certain chemicals, such as CFCs, and the latest four-yearly report from the treaty’s scientific assessment panel assesses its impact.

If current policies stay in place, the layer is expected to recover to 1980 levels – before the appearance of the hole – by around 2066 over the Antarctic, by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2040 for the rest of the world. Action is also having a beneficial impact on efforts to curb global warming.

Professor Petteri Taalas, from the World Meteorological Organisation, said: ‘Our success in phasing out ozone-eating chemicals shows us what can and must be done – as a matter of urgency – to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases and so limit temperature increase.’

■ The global loss of insects is causing 427,000 early deaths a year, experts warn.

A study, by Harvard University, found the supply of healthy foods is dropping as there are less insects to pollinate crops. The lower consumption means about 1 per cent of all deaths can be linked to pollinator loss.