01.10.23 (Upworthy.com)<\/p>\n\n\n\n via NASA<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Snapshot of the Antarctic ozone hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many reasons to worry about climate change\u2019s effects and whether the world\u2019s leaders are brave enough to make the bold decisions necessary to abate the growing crisis. But a new report from the United Nations<\/a> shows that when people come together and follow the science, it\u2019s possible to stop environmental disasters before they happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An executive assessment from the UN has found that the hole in the Earth\u2019s ozone layer is on track to be completely healed within the next two decades. If current policies remain in place, the ozone layer should recover to 1980 levels by around 2066 in the Antarctic, 2045 in the Arctic and 2040 throughout the rest of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hole was first discovered by scientists in 1985<\/a> above Antarctica and it caused immediate worry. According to Discover magazine<\/a>, the ozone layer acts as the planet\u2019s sunscreen and without it, we\u2019d be exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays that cause skin cancer and cataracts. The radiation is also harmful to marine life and plants and would cause a major disruption to the world\u2019s food supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the upper stratosphere and in the ozone hole we see things getting better,\u201d Paul A. Newman, co-chair of the scientific assessment panel of the Montreal Protocol, said according to the Associated Press<\/a>. He added that the two biggest contributors to the hole, chlorine and bromine, have dropped from their peaks in the \u201990s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That bromine and chlorine levels \u201cstopped growing and is coming down is a real testament to the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol,\u201d Newman said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Montreal Protocol is an international agreement signed in 1989 that helped eliminate 99% of ozone-depleting chemicals including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). At the time, these were found in spray cans<\/a>, refrigerants and air-conditioning units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good climate news: The ozone layer is on track to recover within 4 decades.![\"ozone](\"https:\/\/assets.rebelmouse.io\/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8zMjY0ODg0Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3ODcxNTIxMX0.CzwJUK2QqmnZTuuavAphBARBH2u0pn3NgtwjK0-de9Y\/img.jpg?width=1200&height=800&quality=85&coordinates=0%2C182%2C0%2C58\")
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The healing of the Earth's invisible shield is an inspirational example of how the world can come together to address global challenges like the climate crisis.
More from @WMO<\/a>: https:\/\/t.co\/Dh0h8kkPnY<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/J9YdEj7kbg<\/a><\/p>— United Nations (@UN) January 9, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>