The Jungfraujoch station, in Switzerland, is part of the high-altitude Integrated Carbon Observation System and measures greenhouse gases. Photo: Jungfrau.ch
The Jungfraujoch station, in Switzerland, is part of the high-altitude Integrated Carbon Observation System and measures greenhouse gases. Photo: Jungfrau.ch
The Jungfraujoch station, in Switzerland, is part of the high-altitude Integrated Carbon Observation System and measures greenhouse gases. Photo: Jungfrau.ch
The Jungfraujoch station, in Switzerland, is part of the high-altitude Integrated Carbon Observation System and measures greenhouse gases. Photo: Jungfrau.ch

Major climate change milestone reached as gases behind ozone hole are cut for first time


Nicky Harley
  • English
  • Arabic

A major milestone in the fight against climate change has been achieved as greenhouse gases, which were behind the hole in the ozone layer, have dropped for the first time.

Levels of harmful hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), or greenhouse gases, which were developed as replacements for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), have reduced.

The international Montreal Protocol was agreed to in 1987 and aimed to introduce controls on the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), which were once widely used in the manufacture of hundreds of products, including refrigerators, aerosol sprays, foams and packaging.

While production of CFCs has been banned globally since 2010, HCFC production and usage is still being phased out.

A study, published in the Nature Climate Change journal on Tuesday, reveals reductions have been recorded for the first time. It is a significant development, author Luke Western, Marie Curie Research Fellow at the University of Bristol's School of Chemistry, told The National.

“This is a major milestone,” he said. “Our prediction is that it will continue to decrease. If this trend continues the ozone hole will recover in about 40 years' time.

“In terms of climate change this is very significant. The biggest message this shows is that environmental policies, like the Montreal Protocol, do work. It is the first time since monitoring began in the 1980s that we have seen a reduction.”

The international study, titled Global Reduction in Harmful Greenhouse Gases and Ozone-Depleting Substances: Success of Montreal Protocol Confirmed, shows the total amount of ozone-depleting chlorine contained in all HCFCs peaked in 2021.

Although the drop between 2021 and 2023 was less than 1 per cent, it still shows HCFC emissions are heading in the right direction.

“The results are very encouraging. They underscore the great importance of establishing and sticking to international protocols,” Dr Western said.

“Their production is currently being phased out globally, with a completion date slated for 2040. In turn, these HCFCs are being replaced by non-ozone-depleting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other compounds.

“By enforcing strict controls and promoting the adoption of ozone-friendly alternatives, the protocol has successfully curbed the release and levels of HCFCs into the atmosphere.

“Without the Montreal Protocol, this success would not have been possible, so it’s a resounding endorsement of multilateral commitments to combat stratospheric ozone depletion, with additional benefits in tackling human-induced climate change. It shows the success of international co-operation and the importance of it in tackling environmental issues.”

The European Space Agency's map of the ozone hole over the South Pole. AP
The European Space Agency's map of the ozone hole over the South Pole. AP

The results rely on high-precision measurements at globally distributed atmospheric observatories, using data from the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment and the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA).

“We use highly sensitive measurement techniques and thorough protocols to ensure the reliability of these observations,” said co-author Dr Martin Vollmer, an atmospheric scientist at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology.

Co-author Dr Isaac Vimont, a research scientist at the NOAA in the US, said environmental monitoring is imperative.

“This study highlights the critical need to be vigilant and proactive in our environmental monitoring, ensuring other controlled ozone-depleting and greenhouse gases follow a similar trend which will help to protect the planet for future generations,” he said.

In December, Nasa launched a website, earth.gov, that will soon monitor locations around the world that are producing greenhouse gases.

Nasa administrator Bill Nelson revealed the details at a Future Talks event at the Museum of the Future in Dubai and said the website would use data from Nasa satellites to track greenhouse gases, which become trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere and cause the planet to heat up.

So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?

Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
 

WORLD CUP FINAL

England v South Africa

Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo

Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

The Bio

Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”

Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”

Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”

Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Racecard:

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres

7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m

7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m

8.15pm: Meydan Trophy | Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m

8.50pm: Balanchine | Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m.

A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

Miss Granny

Director: Joyce Bernal

Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa

3/5

(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)

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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday

AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)

Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)

Benevento v Parma (5pm)

Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)

Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)

Lazio v Spezia (5pm)

Napoli v Crotone (5pm)

Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)

Torino v Juventus (8pm)

Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)

ON%20TRACK
%3Cp%3EThe%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Assembly%20will%20host%20three%20main%20tracks%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducate%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Consists%20of%20more%20than%2010%20in-depth%20sessions%20on%20the%20metaverse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInspire%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Will%20showcase%20use%20cases%20of%20the%20metaverse%20in%20tourism%2C%20logistics%2C%20retail%2C%20education%20and%20health%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EContribute%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Workshops%20for%20metaverse%20foresight%20and%20use-case%20reviews%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: June 11, 2024, 1:25 PM`