Hope for the global environment has been detected after the United Nations found that Earth's protective ozone layer is recovering from years of human-induced damage.

The hole, which was discovered in 1985 by British scientists, is assessed every four years. On the latest check-in, scientists reported significant healing of the hole that sits over Antarctica. 

"In the upper stratosphere and in the ozone hole we see things getting better," said Paul Newman, co-chair of the scientific assessment, according to the Associated Press.

In 1987, the nations of the world came together to sign off on the Montreal Protocol, which assigned each country with tasks to do their part in scaling back the use and production of ozone depleting substances. 

In a previous assessment of the hole four years ago, scientists found that the hole was recovering then too, but the findings were preliminary and not as aggressive. 

Factors like remitting the use of chlorine and bromine in products across industries, which at times had various uses such as in dry cleaning and anesthesia, have played a substantial role in the shrinking of the ozone's hole.

At the current rate, scientists predict that it could be fully repaired by 2066.

Share:
More In Science
Stretching Your Dollar: How to Negotiate Medical Bills
With high healthcare costs, bills can quickly add up. In some cases, it is possible to negotiate your medical bills. Barak Richman, law professor at George Washington University, joined Cheddar News to discuss the easiest way to talk to medical debt companies about what's owed.
Stretching Your Dollar: Navigating Insurance
Millions of people have selected insurance plans for 2024 but sometimes navigating them can be tricky time consuming and expensive. Paula Pant, host of 'Afford Anything' podcast, joined Cheddar News to break down what's needed to know about their insurance plans.
CDC Urges Increased Vaccine Coverage
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an urgent need to increase vaccination coverage in response to rising respiratory disease levels.
Load More