The record hole in the Ozone is no reason to panic, scientists say

The UN’s weather and climate agency has said that a record-size hole in the ozone layer, detected this month, is “no reason for undue alarm”.

The record hole was measured on 2 October, to a peak of 28.2 million square km and remained at daily record levels on every day since then, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said, citing data from Nasa.

The ozone hole that appears over Antarctica fluctuates in size, usually reaching its widest point in the polar spring.

WMO atmospheric and environment research division senior scientist Geir Braathen said:

This shows us that the ozone hole problem is still with us and we need to remain vigilant.

But there is no reason for undue alarm… This does not reverse the projected long-term recovery in the coming decades.

Last year, the WMO said it detected the first sign of ozone recovery and said it could be a decade before the hole begins shrinking.

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