Paul Neiman: We've replaced CFCs with hydrofluorocarvins or HFCs, which are also pretty potent greenhouse gases. The Montreal Protocol parties recognized that they had, in fact, created a problem in climate. He says there have been some things touted as fixes to the climate crisis that could actually reverse some of the progress that's been made. But it sounds like we might be on the home stretch with the ozone layer, so hopefully you're not having sleepless nights anymore.
A UN report has found the Earth’s ozone layer is on course to be healed within the next 40 years. What was once humanity’s most feared environmental peril is now an example of how the world can take collective action. Madeleine Finlay speaks to atmospheric scientist Paul Newman about this momentous achievement and whether it really is the end of the story. Help support our independent journalism at
theguardian.com/sciencepod