Geneva: Record loss of the ozone, the atmosphere layer that shields life from the sun's harmful rays, has been observed over the Arctic in recent months, the World Meteorological Organization said.
The missed data: Looking for long-term patterns in springtime data for the Antarctic helped the team to discover the ozone hole. This file photo shows the ozone hole split into two separate holes.
Coastal cities and islands all across the world, including India, are facing serious threat from thinning of ice in Antarctica, according to latest research by 100 world-leading scientists from eight countries released here on Wednesday.
India on Tuesday unveiled its roadmap for phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) by 2030 under the Montreal Protocol even as it sought the requisite technology and funds for it from the global community.
The ozone hole, which had caused serious environmental concerns, is shrinking and it could fully heal by the end of the century, bringing more rain to eastern Australia, scientists said on Wednesday.
The World Meteorological Organisation said on Wednesday that the ozone hole is expected to be smaller in 2009 than a year ago.
"The meteorological conditions observed so far could indicate that the 2009 ozone hole will be smaller than those of 2006 and 2008 and close to that of 2007," said the UN agency in a statement.
The southern ozone hole has changed weather patterns around Antarctica and cooled the air above the east part of the continent, according to new research.
An expansion of sea ice around Antarctica is linked to a hole in the ozone layer high in the atmosphere, according to a study on Tuesday that helps clear up a mystery about global warming.
