Visualization of the ozone layer in 2025 by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). By Talker

By Dean Murray

The ozone layer will be fully recovered in decades, according to a new report.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says the ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 levels by around 2040 globally, by 2045 over the Arctic, and by approximately 2066 above Antarctica.

The ozone layer sits in the stratosphere between 15 km and 30 km above the earth and shields us and other living things from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.

The WMO Ozone Bulletin reported that the low level of ozone depletion observed in 2024 was partly due to naturally occurring atmospheric factors, which drive year-to-year fluctuations. However, the long-term positive trend

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