Time left to recovery of the ozone hole around the planet
CURRENT TOTAL
Live Counter Notable Facts
(Data shown in the table is for 2025. Counter shows current estimate)
Antarctic Recovery
Arctic Recovery
Global Recovery
Understanding Time left to recovery of the ozone hole around the planet
This counter tracks the projected time remaining until the ozone layer fully recovers to pre-1980 levels, before the appearance of the ozone hole. Thanks to the Montreal Protocol's success in phasing out 99% of ozone-depleting substances, the ozone layer is on track for recovery within this century.
The 2024 Antarctic ozone hole ranked as the 7th smallest since recovery began in 1992, covering approximately 20 million square kilometers at its peak. While still nearly three times the size of the United States, this represents significant progress from the record 28.4 million square kilometers observed in 2000.
Recovery timelines vary by region due to atmospheric conditions and the persistence of chlorofluorocarbons already in the atmosphere. The Antarctic experiences the most severe depletion and will be the last region to recover, while mid-latitude regions are expected to heal much sooner.
Ozone Layer Recovery Progress
- The Montreal Protocol, ratified by all 198 UN member states, has prevented millions of cases of skin cancer and cataracts by successfully reducing ozone-depleting substances by 99% since 1987, making it the most successful environmental treaty in history.
- Current ozone levels over Antarctica remain well below the healthy threshold of 220 Dobson Units during the annual ozone hole season, but steady improvements show international cooperation is working to heal this critical atmospheric shield.
- Natural variability from volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and weather patterns can temporarily affect ozone hole size, but the long-term trend shows consistent healing, with the hole shrinking by approximately 1-3% per year since 2000.
- The ozone layer's recovery has also contributed to climate change mitigation, avoiding an estimated 0.5°C of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the phased-out chemicals that were also potent climate warmers.
Ozone Recovery Terminology
- Ozone Hole: Region where ozone concentration falls below 220 Dobson Units
- Dobson Unit: Measurement of ozone concentration in the atmosphere
- Montreal Protocol: International treaty to phase out ozone-depleting substances
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): Primary chemicals responsible for ozone depletion
Regional Recovery Timelines
- Global (excluding poles): Full recovery by 2040
- Arctic Region: Full recovery by 2045
- Antarctic Region: Full recovery by 2066
- Mid-latitudes: Already showing signs of recovery
- Tropical regions: Minimal depletion, steady state maintained
2024 Ozone Hole Statistics
- Maximum size: 22.4 million km² (September 28)
- Average size: 20 million km² (7th smallest since 1992)
- Minimum ozone: Below 220 Dobson Units
- Duration: August through December
- Ranking: 20th smallest in 45 years of observations
Factors Affecting Recovery
- CFC persistence: Decades required for atmospheric breakdown
- Climate change: Complex interactions with stratospheric cooling
- Volcanic activity: Temporary impacts from major eruptions
- Policy compliance: Continued vigilance against illegal emissions
- Natural variability: Year-to-year weather fluctuations
Data Sources and References
Methodology and Data Collection
Recovery projections are based on atmospheric models from the WMO/UNEP Scientific Assessment Panel, incorporating CFC decay rates, atmospheric circulation patterns, and continued compliance with the Montreal Protocol regulations.
The countdown timer calculates remaining time to projected recovery dates: 2066 for Antarctica, 2045 for the Arctic, and 2040 for the rest of the world, based on current rates of ozone layer healing observed through satellite monitoring.