(NASAвЂ™s Earth Observatory/ Joshua Stevens) Many ozone holes in the 1990s and early 2000s were significantly larger than the 2021 ozone hole in terms of average ozone hole area from early September to mid-October. вЂњThis a large ozone hole because of the colder than average 2021 stratospheric conditions, and without a Montreal Protocol, it would have been much larger,вЂќ stated Paul Newman, chief scientist for Earth sciences at NASAвЂ™s Goddard Space Flight Center, in an article published by NASA. However, scientists have stated that certain conditions and patterns within the EarthвЂ™s atmosphere have contributed to some thinner regions and holes in the ozone layer, such as the one that recently closed over Antarctica. Scientists estimate that the ozone layer could recover by mid-century, but there are still areas in the ozone layer that are thinning and holes that have struggled to close.

estimates that the Montreal Protocol has prevented millions of additional cases of melanoma, other cancers, and eye cataracts. The agreement, which is signed by 197 countries, regulates the production and use of dozens of human-created chemicals that are ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and bans particularly damaging chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).Д¬FCs were gases used in refrigerators and aerosol sprays in the 1960s and 70s before scientists discovered they were linked to a thinning region in the ozone layer over Antarctica.ДЄ thinning ozone layer allows more UV rays from the Sun to flow through EarthвЂ™s stratosphere, which can be a dangerous risk to human health.

The Montreal Protocol is often cited as one of the most successful political initiatives aimed at protecting the environment. The ozone hole over Antarctica at its peak on October 7, 2021.

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