Scientists who first raised warnings in the early 1970s about ozone damage won a Nobel Prize. The ozone hole over Antarctica is usually more pronounced on the South American side of the frozen continent. Countries that are affected by it the most are Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
The ozone layer is depleted in two ways. Firstly, the ozone layer in the mid-latitude (e.g. over Australia) is thinned, leading to more UV radiation reaching the earth.
The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs the biologically damaging wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) rays but in the 1970s, Australia's ozone layer was severely thinned as a consequence of heavy use of ozone-depleting, substances such as chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) and hydro-chloroflurocarbons (HCFCs).
Global ozone exposure by major country 2019
Qatar had the largest population-weighted concentration of ambient ozone pollution in 2019, at 67.2 part per billion. This was closely followed by Nepal. Countries with high concentrations of ozone pollution were typically located in the Middle East and South Asia.
Most ozone (about 90%) is found in the stratosphere, which begins about 10–16 kilometers (6–10 miles) above Earth's surface and extends up to about 50 kilo- meters (31 miles) altitude. The stratospheric region with the highest ozone concentration is commonly known as the “ozone layer” (see Figure Q1-2).
90% of the planet's ozone is in the "ozone layer" which exists in the lower level (20-25 kilometres above sea level) of the stratosphere. The stratosphere is the region of the atmosphere which exists between 10 and 50 kilometres above the surface of the earth.
The hole still exists but scientists project the ozone layer to return to a condition not seen since before 1980 by about 2050. The overall recovery of the ozone hole is a "slow process", but Krummel said humans are headed in the right direction for the issue "not to be much of a problem at all".
Australia's unusually harsh sunshine results mainly from its location in the Southern Hemisphere. The elliptical orbit of the Earth places the Southern Hemisphere closer to the sun during its summer months than the Northern Hemisphere during its summer.
Exposure to UV radiation from the sun and other sources, such as solariums, is the major cause of skin cancer. Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world – in fact, UV radiation is strong enough to cause sunburn in as little as 11 minutes on a fine summer day.
As the ozone hole over the south pole breaks up in spring, pockets of ozone depleted air drift across Tasmania, southern Victoria and the southern part of New Zealand's south island.
The special meteorological conditions in Antarctica cause these gases to be more effective there in depleting ozone compared to anywhere else. Human emissions of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons (bromine-containing gases) have occurred mainly in the Northern Hemisphere.
Australia gets more ultraviolet light from sunlight than many other places do. Melanin in cells absorbs ultraviolet light and prevents it from being absorbed by other parts of the cell which can be damaged.
New Zealand's rather cool and temperate temperatures can easily hide the harmful effects of the sun. Yet in any season and any weather, the New Zealand sun can burn. Many people say they get more sunburned in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world, even Australia!
As our senses cannot detect UV, overexposure may be damaging our skin and eyes without our knowledge. Australia experiences some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world because we are close to the equator and have many clear, blue-sky days.
UV problem of another kind
"Tasmania is unique with the fact that in summer it gets to extreme level, and in winter it doesn't even get to moderate," Mr Carr said.
“Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, so the Australian government has the strictest requirements for sunscreen,” explains Wong, who hails from Sydney. “It's regulated as a therapeutic good (ergo a drug), which means the manufacturing requirements are higher.
Dr Ahmad Hasanien, a skin cancer expert explained that 'During summer, the Earth's orbit brings Australia closer to the sun, resulting in an additional 7% solar UV intensity. Coupled with our clearer atmospheric conditions, this means that Australians are exposed to up to 15% more UV than Europeans'.
Perth, Western Australia
In fact, it's officially the sunniest capital city in the world, with an average of eight hours of sun per day, year-round. It's wonderfully close to Fremantle and Rottnest Island too, so you can take home a suitcase full of brightly-lit quokka selfies.
The hole is currently about 7.6 million square miles wide.
In 2000, the ozone hole reached its maximum extent since 1979 and has stopped increasing in size in subsequent years, which is attributable to the phasing out of ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol (for more information, see the EEA indicator 'Consumption of ozone-depleting substances').
Ozone depleting substances are chemicals that destroy the earth's protective ozone layer. They include: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) halon.
A collection of human-made greenhouse gases known as ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), including chlorofluorocarbons that can be found in everyday products such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol cans, have been destroying the ozone layer.
Distribution in the stratosphere
The thickness of the ozone layer varies worldwide and is generally thinner near the equator and thicker near the poles.
Scientists said the recovery is gradual and will take many years. If current policies remain in place, the ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 levels — before the appearance of the ozone hole — by 2040, the report said, and will return to normal in the Arctic by 2045.
Sun protection is recommended whenever UV levels reach 3 or higher. Below 3, sun protection isn't recommended unless you are outdoors for extended periods or near reflective surfaces, like snow. Australians shouldn't expose themselves to potentially harmful UV to get more vitamin D.