Could methane emissions be a surprising ally in healing the ozone layer? That’s what researchers from Beijing Normal University are suggesting in a new study.
The team, led by Professor Xie Fei, discovered that increasing levels of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—could have an unexpected positive impact on the recovery of Earth’s ozone layer. Their findings were recently published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences.
The ozone layer acts like Earth’s sunscreen, blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. While global efforts have reduced ozone-depleting substances, the path to full recovery is still uncertain due to ongoing climate change and human activities.
“Methane is a double-edged sword,” explained Professor Xie. “On one hand, it contributes to global warming. On the other, it interacts with atmospheric chemicals in ways that can help restore the stratospheric ozone layer.”
The researchers conducted experiments to analyze how methane, carbon dioxide, and sea surface temperatures might affect the ozone layer by 2050 under a high-emission scenario known as RCP 8.5. They found that rising methane levels could significantly aid ozone recovery, especially over the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
“Understanding these dual effects is crucial,” said Xie. “It helps us predict how the ozone layer might recover and what that means for our climate.”
The team hopes their work will guide better decision-making. “Our ultimate goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of ozone recovery pathways,” Xie added. “We plan to refine our models to include more factors, which will help policymakers and scientists address both ozone restoration and climate change more effectively.”
