The Antarctic ozone hole, crucial for shielding Earth from harmful solar radiation, is not exhibiting signs of recovery as previously projected. Despite the success of the 1987 Montreal Protocol in banning ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), recent research by New Zealand’s Otago University reveals that the hole has deepened in mid-spring over the last two decades. Contrary to expectations, there is no significant reduction in the hole’s coverage, with six of the last nine years displaying exceptionally low ozone levels. The delayed opening of the hole in September suggests a potential recovery, but October’s substantial ozone level reduction challenges previous assumptions, indicating other atmospheric influences, possibly linked to climate change. The study suggests that recent ozone depletion may not be solely attributed to CFCs, urging a reconsideration of factors affecting ozone recovery.
