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Scientists find Earth's ozone hole is on the mend due to treaty efforts

A new scientific assessment shows damage to the ozone layer from aerosol sprays and coolants started recovering in parts of the stratosphere with bans on ozone-depleting substances.

The ozone hole over Antarctica reaches its annual maximum
The ozone hole over Antarctica reaches its annual maximum (AN/NOAA)

GENEVA (AN) — A nearly three decade-old international treaty appears to be paying off: Earth's protective ozone layer has been slowly mending.

A new scientific assessment shows damage to the ozone layer from aerosol sprays and coolants started recovering in parts of the stratosphere at a rate of 1-3% per decade since 2000. The treaty known as the Montreal Protocol was adopted to protect the ozone layer by eliminating the use of ozone-depleting substances such as aerosol sprays and coolants.

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