Climate Diaries: Ozone Layer Recovery Raises Hope for Climate Change Mitigation, but Not So in Africa Yet

By Obiabin Onukwugha

A few days ago, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) celebrated the recovery of the Ozone Layer. The celebration was in commemoration of the 2024 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, marked every September 17, and with its theme of Advancing Climate Action.

The UNEP stated that the achievements of the Montreal Protocol, which has phased out 99% of ozone-depleting chemicals, help to recover the ozone layer.

The body healed the Montreal Protocol, describing it as a multilateralism success story. It united the world to phase out ozone-depleting substances, putting the ozone layer on the path to recovery and protecting all life on Earth.

UNEP in a statement said: “Phasing out ozone-depleting substances has proven to be a powerful tool for climate action that has helped slow global warming, for example, postponing the first ice-free Arctic summer by up to 15 years.
Through the Kigali Amendment, climate action is being further accelerated.

“Countries commit to phasing down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – potent climate-warming gases that replaced ozone-depleting substances in the various sectors. If the Amendment is fully ratified and implemented, up to 0.5°C of warming could be avoided by 2100.

“Cooling equipment represents 20 per cent of total electricity consumption today and is expected to more than double by 2050. Kigali Amendment implementation and switching to energy-efficient cooling equipment could double these gains”!

The body pointed out that work has already begun to deliver on these climate action gains, saying nearly 80 per cent of Parties have ratified the Kigali Amendment, including the US, China, and India—all major HFC producers or consumers. It also stated that developed countries began phasing down HFCs in 2019, with many developing countries starting this year.

“So, on this World Ozone Day, we not only celebrate the achievements to date but also look to the future for deeper and faster action under the Montreal Protocol. Deeper and faster for the ozone layer but above all, for people, for climate and the planet,” it added.

Also, the United Nations Climate Action states that the ozone layer is on track to being fully restored by 2050!

It said the achievement is a result of the 1987 where the global community decided to phase out ozone-depleting substances. The body said; “This is the power of what we can achieve when we work together.”

The implication of this development is that the globe is close to recovering from climate change and the devastating impacts.

But this may not be so for African countries except conscious steps are taken to halt the causes of climate change such as fossil fuel extraction. Climate change mitigation is still a far cry for African countries as has continued to propel irregular weather patterns and its impacts.

It was reported that Africa has been particularly impacted by extreme heat waves that have devastated communities and threatened livelihoods in 2024. According to the European climate service, Copernicus, as quoted by Africa news.com, this summer’s temperatures broke all previous records, a trend attributed to human-caused climate change. While the El Niño phenomenon contributed to some temperature increases in previous years, the main driver of these extreme conditions is now long-term climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

Africa is vulnerable to climate impacts due to its geographical position and economic challenges, and is among the hardest-hit continents. Countries across the region are grappling with record-breaking heat, causing a rise in heat-related deaths and threatening food security. Temperatures have soared above 40°C (104°F), particularly in equatorial regions.

According to the WiseVoter Institute, ten African countries are facing unprecedented heat, with some regions experiencing prolonged droughts and crop failures. Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal are top on the list.

Recently, Zambia announced the country is shutting down its largest hydro power station at Kariba due to critically low water levels, caused by the country’s worst deought in 40 years.

In Kenya and across East Africa, climate change has led to more frequent droughts. According to reports, these have caused wild animals, such as lions and elephants, to wander further in search of water and food. Lions have then come into conflict with humans when they kill sheep and goats in the villages near the national parks.

In South Africa, extreme weather events have damaged crops and infrastructure, and threatened plants and animals that attract tourism.

Also, in Zimbabwe, the government announced that it is considering culling 723 animals, including elephants, to address food shortages and combat the effects of an El Niño-induced drought.

The country is among five southern African nations heavily impacted by the drought, leaving millions food-insecure.

In Nigeria, devastating flooding caused by excess rainfall has continued to impact the people and their livelihoods.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the floods in 2024 have displaced more than 200,000 people, with 201 deaths reported in 15 of the 36 states and about 115,000 hectares of farmland inundated.