Ozone Repair Brings Unexpected 40% Rise in Global Warming

According to a study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics last month, the ongoing repair of the Earth's ozone layer is causing significantly more global warming than previously expected. Researchers from the University of Reading used computer models to project the warming associated with changes in ozone between 2015 and 2050, taking into account factors like humidity, clouds, and surface reflectivity.

The results suggest that while the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in 1987 to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals has been successful, the healing of the ozone layer will create more warming, effectively canceling out most of the climate benefits from stopping the production of substances like CFCs and HCFCs. By 2050, ozone is estimated to be the second-largest contributor to warming after carbon dioxide.

The researchers stress that repairing the ozone layer remains the right thing to do, as it brings vital health benefits by protecting people, animals, and plants from dangerous ultraviolet radiation. However, they emphasize that climate policies need to be revised to account for the unavoidable extra warming associated with ozone layer repair. Some of this additional warming effect can be mitigated by reducing air pollution linked to ozone formation near the ground.