India, Sept. 16 -- The Earth's protective ozone layer is healing and the ozone hole in 2024 was smaller than in recent years, according to a new World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report which contains welcome scientific news for people's and planetary health.

The WMO Ozone Bulletin reported that the low level of ozone depletion observed in 2024 was partly due to naturally occurring atmospheric factors which drive year-to-year fluctuations. However, the long-term positive trend reflects the success of concerted international action.

The WMO Ozone Bulletin was issued for World Ozone Day on 16 September and the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention, which recognized stratospheric ozone depletion as a global problem and provided t...