The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has reported that the Earth's protective ozone layer is on track to recover to 1980s levels by mid-century, with the Antarctic ozone hole in 2024 recorded as smaller than in recent years. According to the WMO Ozone Bulletin 2024, the reduced depletion is partly due to natural atmospheric variations, but overall progress highlights the effectiveness of the global effort to protect the ozone.<h3>How is the Ozone layer healing?</h3>The ozone layer is steadily healing because of the Montreal Protocol (1987), which helped in phasing out 99% of ozone-depleting chemicals like CFCs. According to the WMO and UNEP, the layer is projected to return to 1980s levels by mid-century, reducing risks of UV-related health and environmental damage.&nbsp;The report released on World Ozone Day also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention, the landmark agreement that paved the way for international cooperation on ozone protection. "Forty years ago, nations came together to take the first step in protecting the ozone layer, guided by science, united in action," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to WMO Ozone Bulletin.&nbsp;"The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol became a landmark of multilateral success. Today, the ozone layer is healing. This achievement reminds us that when nations heed the warnings of science, progress is possible," he also said.&nbsp;Over 99% of controlled ozone-depleting substances have already been phased out by the Montreal Protocol. These substances were widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, firefighting foam and hairspray. Following the phased ozone-depleting substances, the layer is likely to recover to 1980s levels by mid-century. It will reduce risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and ecosystem damage, the WMO bulletin said.&nbsp;"The theme for World Ozone Day is From Science to Global Action. It mirrors WMO's 75th anniversary slogan, Science for Action. This is no coincidence," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.<h3>Need of the hour</h3>Matt Tully, Chair of WMO's Scientific Advisory Group on Ozone and Solar UV Radiation, stated that even after the success of the Montreal Protocol in helping reduce the depletion of the ozone layer, there remain several essential needs to be systematically monitored.&nbsp;"Despite the great success of the Montreal Protocol in the intervening decades, this work is not yet finished, and there remains an essential need for the world to continue careful systematic monitoring of both stratospheric ozone and of ozone-depleting substances and their replacements, "Tully said.&nbsp;The WMO reported that overall stratospheric ozone levels were greater in 2024 compared to previous years. The Antarctic ozone hole reached its peak on September 29, with a maximum ozone mass deficit of 46.1 million tonnes—smaller than the extensive holes recorded between 2020 and 2023.&nbsp;This year, the depletion began later than usual in September and was followed by a swift recovery. "This persistent later onset has been identified as a robust indication of initial recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole," the bulletin said.

As per the report by the WMO and UNEP, the layer is projected to return to 1980s levels by mid-century, reducing risks of UV-related health and environmental damage.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has reported that the Earth's protective ozone layer is on track to recover to 1980s levels by mid-century, with the Antarctic ozone hole in 2024 recorded as smaller than in recent years. According to the WMO Ozone Bulletin 2024, the reduced depletion is partly due to natural atmospheric variations, but overall progress highlights the effectiveness of the global effort to protect the ozone. How is the Ozone layer healing? The ozone layer is steadily healing because of the Montreal Protocol (1987), which helped in phasing out 99% of ozone-depleting chemicals like CFCs. According to the WMO and UNEP, the layer is projected to return to 1980s levels by mid-century, reducing risks of UV-related health and environmental damage. The report released on World Ozone Day also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention, the landmark agreement that paved the way for international cooperation on ozone protection. "Forty years ago, nations came together to take the first step in protecting the ozone layer, guided by science, united in action," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to WMO Ozone Bulletin. "The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol became a landmark of multilateral success. Today, the ozone layer is healing. This achievement reminds us that when nations heed the warnings of science, progress is possible," he also said. Over 99% of controlled ozone-depleting substances have already been phased out by the Montreal Protocol. These substances were widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, firefighting foam and hairspray. Following the phased ozone-depleting substances, the layer is likely to recover to 1980s levels by mid-century. It will reduce risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and ecosystem damage, the WMO bulletin said. "The theme for World Ozone Day is From Science to Global Action. It mirrors WMO's 75th anniversary slogan, Science for Action. This is no coincidence," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. Need of the hour Matt Tully, Chair of WMO's Scientific Advisory Group on Ozone and Solar UV Radiation, stated that even after the success of the Montreal Protocol in helping reduce the depletion of the ozone layer, there remain several essential needs to be systematically monitored. "Despite the great success of the Montreal Protocol in the intervening decades, this work is not yet finished, and there remains an essential need for the world to continue careful systematic monitoring of both stratospheric ozone and of ozone-depleting substances and their replacements, "Tully said. The WMO reported that overall stratospheric ozone levels were greater in 2024 compared to previous years. The Antarctic ozone hole reached its peak on September 29, with a maximum ozone mass deficit of 46.1 million tonnes—smaller than the extensive holes recorded between 2020 and 2023. This year, the depletion began later than usual in September and was followed by a swift recovery. "This persistent later onset has been identified as a robust indication of initial recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole," the bulletin said.

As per the report by the WMO and UNEP, the layer is projected to return to 1980s levels by mid-century, reducing risks of UV-related health and environmental damage.

Is Ozone layer healing? Report suggests recovery of layer back to 1980 levels by mid-century

The weak La Nina event that emerged in December 2024 is likely to be short-lived, according to the latest update from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Watch this report for more details!

La Nina's impact on global temperatures likely minimal: WMO

Global temperatures will rise to record levels in the next five years and at least one of those years will be the warmest on record, said a report by the United Nation’s weather agency, on Wednesday (May 17).

It also noted that there is a 66 per cent chance that the annual average near-surface global temperature between the years 2023 and 2027, will be more than 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels for at least one year, crossing the key threshold.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the UN agency say?</h2>

The report has attributed this record rise in temperatures to a combination of heat-trapping greenhouse gases and naturally occurring El Niño weather pattern.&nbsp;

According to Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the weather pattern is expected to develop in the coming months and will combine with human-induced climate change effectively pushing global temperatures into an “uncharted territory”.&nbsp;

He added, “This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management and the environment. We need to be prepared.” The report also noted that there is a 98 per cent chance that at least one in the next five years will beat the temperature record set in 2016. The rise in temperature noted seven years ago was also due to an exceptionally strong El Niño.

<h2>The 1.5 degree Celsius limit</h2>

The update issued by the WMO also said that there is a 66 per cent likelihood that the annual average near-surface global temperature between this year and 2027 will cross the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, warmer than the mid-19th century.

However, the temperature might not stay over the key threshold which remains critical because of the 2015 Paris climate agreement which set the number to guide all nations to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions while countries pledging to try to prevent that in the long run.&nbsp;

The lead author of the report, a climate scientist at the United Kingdom’s Met Office,&nbsp;Leon Hermanson, said, “It won’t be this year probably. Maybe it’ll be next year or the year after,” referring to the 1.5 degree Celsius average. Hermanson also said that “a single year doesn’t really mean anything.” Scientists usually use 30-year averages.

However, he warned that “Nobody is going to be untouched by these changes and it’s already leading to floods across the world, droughts and big movements of people.” Meanwhile, Taalas said that this report does not indicate that the temperature will “permanently exceed” the 1.5-degree Celsius level. 
 
He added, “However, WMO is sounding the alarm that we will breach the 1.5 C level on a temporary basis with increasing frequency.” In a press conference, on Wednesday, the WMO chief also said, “We haven’t been able to limit the warming so far and we are still moving in the wrong, wrong direction.”&nbsp;

<h2>El Niño&nbsp;</h2>

According to the UN, the weather pattern, El Niño, typically increases global temperatures in the year after it develops. In this case, that means 2024, when we could witness large-scale warming of surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. As of now, the world was coming off a record-tying triple dip La Nina for three years straight which is the opposite of the El Niño weather pattern.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Global temperatures will rise to record levels in the next five years and at least one of those years will be the warmest on record, said a report by the United Nation’s weather agency, on Wednesday (May 17).

Global temperatures will rise to record levels in the next five years and at least one of those years will be the warmest on record, said a report by the United Nation’s weather agency, on Wednesday (May 17). It also noted that there is a 66 per cent chance that the annual average near-surface global temperature between the years 2023 and 2027, will be more than 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels for at least one year, crossing the key threshold. What did the UN agency say? The report has attributed this record rise in temperatures to a combination of heat-trapping greenhouse gases and naturally occurring El Niño weather pattern. According to Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the weather pattern is expected to develop in the coming months and will combine with human-induced climate change effectively pushing global temperatures into an “uncharted territory”. He added, “This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management and the environment. We need to be prepared.” The report also noted that there is a 98 per cent chance that at least one in the next five years will beat the temperature record set in 2016. The rise in temperature noted seven years ago was also due to an exceptionally strong El Niño. The 1.5 degree Celsius limit The update issued by the WMO also said that there is a 66 per cent likelihood that the annual average near-surface global temperature between this year and 2027 will cross the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, warmer than the mid-19th century. However, the temperature might not stay over the key threshold which remains critical because of the 2015 Paris climate agreement which set the number to guide all nations to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions while countries pledging to try to prevent that in the long run. The lead author of the report, a climate scientist at the United Kingdom’s Met Office, Leon Hermanson, said, “It won’t be this year probably. Maybe it’ll be next year or the year after,” referring to the 1.5 degree Celsius average. Hermanson also said that “a single year doesn’t really mean anything.” Scientists usually use 30-year averages. However, he warned that “Nobody is going to be untouched by these changes and it’s already leading to floods across the world, droughts and big movements of people.” Meanwhile, Taalas said that this report does not indicate that the temperature will “permanently exceed” the 1.5-degree Celsius level. He added, “However, WMO is sounding the alarm that we will breach the 1.5 C level on a temporary basis with increasing frequency.” In a press conference, on Wednesday, the WMO chief also said, “We haven’t been able to limit the warming so far and we are still moving in the wrong, wrong direction.” El Niño According to the UN, the weather pattern, El Niño, typically increases global temperatures in the year after it develops. In this case, that means 2024, when we could witness large-scale warming of surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. As of now, the world was coming off a record-tying triple dip La Nina for three years straight which is the opposite of the El Niño weather pattern. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Global temperatures set to break records in next five years, might hit key warming threshold: UN

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has said in its latest update that the onset of an El Nino is almost certain now, with a high probability that it will set in this very month. Watch this to know more.

El Nino to bring extreme weather across the globe, says WMO

Confronted with a climate crisis threatening civilisation itself, humanity must choose between hope and surrender, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the opening plenary of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-thousands-protest-in-europe-asia-ahead-of-un-climate-summit-265346">UN COP25</a> climate conference Tuesday.

"One is the path of surrender, where we have sleepwalked past the point of no return, jeopardising the health and safety of everyone on this planet," Guterres said.

"Do we really want to be remembered as the generation that buried its head in the sand, that fiddled while the planet burned?"

In an impassioned appeal, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/war-against-nature-must-stop-un-chief-says-before-climate-talks-265593">UN chief</a> worked through a long list of worrying signs, including new figures released Tuesday by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

The last five years have been the hottest ever recorded, the WMO said, and the concentration of planet warming CO2 in the atmosphere has reached levels not seen in three to five million years.

"The last time there was a comparable concentration," Guterres said, "the temperature was two to three degrees Celsius warmer, and sea levels were 10 to 20 metres higher than today."

The 2015 Paris Agreement calls for capping global warming at "well under" 2C, and 1.5C if possible.

A major UN science report reset the threshold for a climate-safe world from 2C to 1.5C.&nbsp;

"Permafrost in the Arctic is thawing 70 years ahead of projections," Guterres continued. "Antarctica is melting three times as fast as a decade ago. Ocean levels are rising quicker than expected."

"More than two-thirds of the world’s megacities are located by the sea."

More than 150 million people will find themselves in coastal flood zones by 2050, according to recent research.

To prevent temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees, the global economy must be carbon neutral by mid-century, a landmark UN report said last year.&nbsp;

"The best available science, through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tells us today that going beyond that (1.5C) would lead us to catastrophic disaster," Guterres said.

Confronted with a climate crisis threatening civilisation itself, humanity must choose between hope and surrender, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the opening plenary of the UN COP25 climate conference Tuesday.

Confronted with a climate crisis threatening civilisation itself, humanity must choose between hope and surrender, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the opening plenary of the UN COP25 climate conference Tuesday. "One is the path of surrender, where we have sleepwalked past the point of no return, jeopardising the health and safety of everyone on this planet," Guterres said. "Do we really want to be remembered as the generation that buried its head in the sand, that fiddled while the planet burned?" In an impassioned appeal, the UN chief worked through a long list of worrying signs, including new figures released Tuesday by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The last five years have been the hottest ever recorded, the WMO said, and the concentration of planet warming CO2 in the atmosphere has reached levels not seen in three to five million years. "The last time there was a comparable concentration," Guterres said, "the temperature was two to three degrees Celsius warmer, and sea levels were 10 to 20 metres higher than today." The 2015 Paris Agreement calls for capping global warming at "well under" 2C, and 1.5C if possible. A major UN science report reset the threshold for a climate-safe world from 2C to 1.5C. "Permafrost in the Arctic is thawing 70 years ahead of projections," Guterres continued. "Antarctica is melting three times as fast as a decade ago. Ocean levels are rising quicker than expected." "More than two-thirds of the world’s megacities are located by the sea." More than 150 million people will find themselves in coastal flood zones by 2050, according to recent research. To prevent temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees, the global economy must be carbon neutral by mid-century, a landmark UN report said last year. "The best available science, through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tells us today that going beyond that (1.5C) would lead us to catastrophic disaster," Guterres said.

Choose hope or climate surrender: UN chief at climate change conference in Madrid

Rising heat due to climate change could lead to the loss of 80 million jobs by 2030, with poor countries worst hit, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-chief-antonio-guterres-urges-iran-to-stick-to-nuclear-deal-after-breaching-cap-232148">United Nations</a> said on Monday, as Europe sweltered in record temperatures.

A temperature rise of 1.5C by the end of the century could lead to a 2.2 per cent drop in working hours — equal to 80 million full-time jobs — costing the global economy $2.4 trillion, according to projections by the UN International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The ILO said people would be unable to work due to the health risks posed by higher temperatures.

“The impact of heat stress on labour productivity is a serious consequence of climate change, which adds to other adverse impacts such as changing rain patterns, rising sea levels and loss of biodiversity,” said ILO’s Catherine Saget.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organisation-officially-recognises-gaming-addiction-as-mental-disorder-221949">World Health Organisation</a> has said heat stress linked to climate change is likely to cause 38,000 extra deaths a year worldwide between 2030 and 2050.

Heat stress occurs when the body absorbs more heat than is tolerable. Extreme heat can cause heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and exhaustion, increase mortality, and exacerbate existing health conditions.

Agricultural workers — especially women, who make up the bulk of the 940 million labourers in the sector — will be most affected, the ILO said, accounting for about 60 per cent of all working hours lost due to heat stress by 2030.

If global temperatures rise as predicted, the construction industry will account for about 19pc of lost working hours, with the poorest countries in Southeast Asia and West Africa worst hit, the ILO added.

Transport, tourism, sport and industrial sectors are among those that will also be affected by rising heat, the ILO said.

“In addition to the massive economic costs of heat stress, we can expect to see more inequality between low and high-income countries and worsening working conditions for the most vulnerable, as well as displacement of people,” said Saget.

In 2015, countries signing the Paris Agreement set a goal of limiting a rise in average world surface temperatures to “well below” 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times, while “pursuing efforts” to limit rising temperatures to 1.5C (2.7F).

Temperatures have already risen about one degree Celsius since pre-industrial times. Scientists say further increases risk triggering tipping points that could make parts of the world uninhabitable, devastate farming and drown coastal cities.

The World Meteorological Organisation said last week that 2019 was on track to be among the world’s hottest years on record, which would make 2015-2019 the hottest five-year period.

Europe has been in the grip of record-breaking heatwaves, with wildfires burning tracts of land in France and Spain at the weekend, and scorching temperatures across the continent killing at least seven people.

Rising heat due to climate change could lead to the loss of 80 million jobs by 2030, with poor countries worst hit, the United Nations said on Monday, as Europe sweltered in record temperatures.

Rising heat due to climate change could lead to the loss of 80 million jobs by 2030, with poor countries worst hit, the United Nations said on Monday, as Europe sweltered in record temperatures. A temperature rise of 1.5C by the end of the century could lead to a 2.2 per cent drop in working hours — equal to 80 million full-time jobs — costing the global economy $2.4 trillion, according to projections by the UN International Labour Organisation (ILO). The ILO said people would be unable to work due to the health risks posed by higher temperatures. “The impact of heat stress on labour productivity is a serious consequence of climate change, which adds to other adverse impacts such as changing rain patterns, rising sea levels and loss of biodiversity,” said ILO’s Catherine Saget. The World Health Organisation has said heat stress linked to climate change is likely to cause 38,000 extra deaths a year worldwide between 2030 and 2050. Heat stress occurs when the body absorbs more heat than is tolerable. Extreme heat can cause heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and exhaustion, increase mortality, and exacerbate existing health conditions. Agricultural workers — especially women, who make up the bulk of the 940 million labourers in the sector — will be most affected, the ILO said, accounting for about 60 per cent of all working hours lost due to heat stress by 2030. If global temperatures rise as predicted, the construction industry will account for about 19pc of lost working hours, with the poorest countries in Southeast Asia and West Africa worst hit, the ILO added. Transport, tourism, sport and industrial sectors are among those that will also be affected by rising heat, the ILO said. “In addition to the massive economic costs of heat stress, we can expect to see more inequality between low and high-income countries and worsening working conditions for the most vulnerable, as well as displacement of people,” said Saget. In 2015, countries signing the Paris Agreement set a goal of limiting a rise in average world surface temperatures to “well below” 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times, while “pursuing efforts” to limit rising temperatures to 1.5C (2.7F). Temperatures have already risen about one degree Celsius since pre-industrial times. Scientists say further increases risk triggering tipping points that could make parts of the world uninhabitable, devastate farming and drown coastal cities. The World Meteorological Organisation said last week that 2019 was on track to be among the world’s hottest years on record, which would make 2015-2019 the hottest five-year period. Europe has been in the grip of record-breaking heatwaves, with wildfires burning tracts of land in France and Spain at the weekend, and scorching temperatures across the continent killing at least seven people.

Rising heat stress could cost 80 million jobs by 2030: United Nations

The world is on track for its hottest year on record and levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have reached new highs, further fuelling global warming, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Thursday. 
 
June marked the 14th straight month of record heat for land and oceans, the United Nations agency said. It called for speedy implementation of a pact reached last December to limit climate change by shifting from fossil fuels to green energy by 2100. 
 
The average temperature in the first six months of 2016 was 1.3&deg;Celsius (2.4&deg;Fahrenheit) warmer than the pre-industrial era in the late 19th Century, according to NASA. 
 
&quot;This underlines more starkly than ever the need to approve and implement the Paris Agreement on climate change, and to speed up the shift to low carbon economies and renewable energy,&quot; said WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas. 
 
Under December&#39;s Paris Agreement, nearly 200 governments agreed to limit global warming to &quot;well below&quot; 2&deg;C (3.6&deg;F) above pre-industrial times, while &quot;pursuing efforts&quot; for a ceiling of just 1.5&deg;C. Temperatures are already nudging towards that lower limit. 
 
&quot;The heat has been especially pronounced in the Arctic, resulting in a very early onset of the annual melting of the Greenland ice sheet and Arctic sea ice,&quot; WMO said. 
 
David Carlson, director of the WMO&rsquo;s Climate Research Programme, told a news briefing: &quot;What we&rsquo;ve seen for the first 6 months of 2016 is really quite alarming.&quot; 
 
&quot;We would have thought it would take several years to warm up like this,&quot; he added. &quot;We don&#39;t have as much time as we thought.&quot; 
 
The northern hemisphere, including the state of Alaska in the United States, Canada and Russia, have posted unusually warm temperatures, he said. 
 
The last month with global temperatures below the 20th century average was December 1984. 
 
A strong El Nino weather event in the Pacific Ocean, a phenomenon associated with extreme droughts, storms and floods, &quot;has now disappeared&quot;, the WMO said in a statement. 
 
The El Nino event developed in 2015 and contributed to the record temperatures in the first half of 2016 before disappearing in May, WMO said. 
 
&quot;Climate change, caused by heat-trapping greenhouse gases, will not (disappear). This means we face more heatwaves, more extreme rainfall and potential for higher impact tropical cyclones,&quot; said Taalas. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Rising levels of carbon dioxide could further fuel global warming, fears the World Meteorological Organisation

The world is on track for its hottest year on record and levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have reached new highs, further fuelling global warming, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Thursday. June marked the 14th straight month of record heat for land and oceans, the United Nations agency said. It called for speedy implementation of a pact reached last December to limit climate change by shifting from fossil fuels to green energy by 2100. The average temperature in the first six months of 2016 was 1.3°Celsius (2.4°Fahrenheit) warmer than the pre-industrial era in the late 19th Century, according to NASA. "This underlines more starkly than ever the need to approve and implement the Paris Agreement on climate change, and to speed up the shift to low carbon economies and renewable energy," said WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas. Under December's Paris Agreement, nearly 200 governments agreed to limit global warming to "well below" 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial times, while "pursuing efforts" for a ceiling of just 1.5°C. Temperatures are already nudging towards that lower limit. "The heat has been especially pronounced in the Arctic, resulting in a very early onset of the annual melting of the Greenland ice sheet and Arctic sea ice," WMO said. David Carlson, director of the WMO’s Climate Research Programme, told a news briefing: "What we’ve seen for the first 6 months of 2016 is really quite alarming." "We would have thought it would take several years to warm up like this," he added. "We don't have as much time as we thought." The northern hemisphere, including the state of Alaska in the United States, Canada and Russia, have posted unusually warm temperatures, he said. The last month with global temperatures below the 20th century average was December 1984. A strong El Nino weather event in the Pacific Ocean, a phenomenon associated with extreme droughts, storms and floods, "has now disappeared", the WMO said in a statement. The El Nino event developed in 2015 and contributed to the record temperatures in the first half of 2016 before disappearing in May, WMO said. "Climate change, caused by heat-trapping greenhouse gases, will not (disappear). This means we face more heatwaves, more extreme rainfall and potential for higher impact tropical cyclones," said Taalas. (Reuters)

Out of time? 2016 set to be hottest year yet