Ozone hole's growth rate slows down | SF Chronicle

[Ediacara]

Ozone hole's growth rate slows down
Scientists credit refrigerant ban

David Perlman, Chronicle Science Editor Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Almost 30 years after scientists discovered that common industrial gases were destroying Earth's protective ozone layer, satellite readings and ground observations show for the first time that the dangerous rate of ozone loss is finally slowing.

Colorless compounds known as chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs), such as the Freon once used in refrigerators and common spray cans, have accumulated in the stratosphere to cause a growing "hole" in the ozone layer. That layer normally acts to screen out much of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, which can cause skin cancer and damage ecosystems.

Alarm has grown over the years as satellite observations found that an ozone hole was spreading over thousands of square miles in the Southern Hemisphere while high-flying NASA missions discovered evidence that a similar hole was growing over far northern latitudes.

More at the San Francisco Chronicle

[Hand]

1. Shhh!

Jeez, don't let word get around. That's happening because of a (gasp) international agreement (the Montreal protocols--signed in GAAAAH! Canada). Just the kind of thing Chimpy would love to abrogate. Or else just call for more research.

[Lisa]

4. oops, I think it's too late ...

Apparently the administration is putting on pressure to ditch the latest round of Montreal Protocol talks (aimed at methyl chloride use). As you say, the Canadian connection is not exactly going to endear this treaty to Bush. Plus, the fact that it's a model for subsequent pollution control treaties (like organochlorines and greenhouse gases) makes it a prime target -- would he ever love to scuttle it!

[gristy]

2. All right!

/tone="sarcastic"/The Bush Administration deserves all the credit here.

[Bandit]

3. Wonderful news both because of effect and also it shows global warming

really is caused by man or at least greatly aided. And since we have helped to create the problem we can now help eliminate the problem. Helps to put an end to the argument from right-wing that it is all natural occurance. Man has demonstrated we can do something about this major problem and the US could help greatly.