Ozone hole significantly smaller in 2024 – protective layer for the Earth is recovering

The protective ozone layer around the Earth continues to recover. Last year, the ozone hole was smaller than in the years 2020 to 2023 and was even below the average for 1990 to 2020.

This is due to natural atmospheric processes, but above all to the decline in harmful substances. The ban on ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) was a decisive factor in this.

CFCs were previously commonly used in refrigerators and hairsprays. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) expects the ozone layer to recover to 1980s levels by the middle of the century.

A thin ozone layer allows more harmful UV radiation from the sun to reach the Earth. This can cause sunburn and skin cancer in humans. Plants are also damaged.