Fwd: Ozone Hole Almosted Closed, Now Record Size

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" luckypig "

Mon, 25 Aug 2003 21:55:37 -0400

Ozone Hole Almosted Closed, Now Record Size

 

http://www.unknowncountry.com/news/?id=3046

 

 

Ozone Hole Almost Closed, Now Record Size

24-Aug-2003

 

 

A year ago, we wrote that the ozone hole over the Antarctic was finally closing.

Now " the growth at the moment is similar to 2000 when the hole was a record

size, " says Australian scientist Andrew Klekociuk. At that time the hole

explanded to 10.9 million square miles, which is three times the size of

Australia or the U.S. Why is this happening?

Australian scientists think this is due to colder temperatures in the

stratosphere, which is where the ozone hole forms. Warmer temperatures in the

troposphere below it, caused by global warming, mean that warm air no longer

reaches the stratosphere, so global warming may be undoing all the good we've

done by restricting CFC spray can emissions that destroy the ozone layer. As our

climate changes, the ozone hole may become a permanent, unfixable phenomenon.

This is an especially big problem for Australia, which is directly under the

ozone hole. Ozone in the atmosphere shields the Earth from ultraviolet radiation

from the sun that causes skin cancer and cataracts and skin cancer is already a

major problem in Australia.

The ozone hole will expand to its largest size by the end of September, then

will start shrinking again.

Ever get the idea that the people who are running things aren't too worried

about what happens to the average guy?

 

 

 

For more information,

 

Related Stories:

26-Sep-2002: Ozone Hole is Finally Closing

06-May-2002: Ozone Hole Makes Antarctic Both Cooler & Warmer

07-Nov-2001: Ozone: This Year’s Hole & A New Way to Destroy Anthrax

21-Aug-2001: Cosmic Rays May Cause Ozone Holes