Extreme winter seriously damages ozone layer-scientists concerned
The stratospheric ozone layer, which shields the Earth from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, has been damaged to its greatest-ever extent over the Arctic this winter, although it is doubtful the Republicans will believe it, or at the least not admit it as that doesn’t serve their agenda.
This protective layer of gas, which can be destroyed by reactions with industrial chemicals, has suffered a loss of about 40 per cent from the start of winter until late March, exceeding the previous seasonal loss of about 30 per cent, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The ozone layer protects us against skin cancer, but the gas is destroyed by reactions with industrial chemicals, a byproduct of refineries and manufacturing plants.
These chemicals are restricted by the UN’s Montreal Protocol, but they last so long in the atmosphere that damage is expected to continue for many decades.
“The Montreal Protocol actually works, and the amount of ozone-depleting gases is on the way down, but quite slowly,” said Geir Braathen, a senior scientist with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which co-ordinates ozone data globally.
“In the meantime, we have some winters that get much colder than before and also the cold periods last longer, into the spring,” he told BBC News.
“So it’s really a combination of the gases still there and low temperatures and then sunshine, and then you get ozone loss.”
This is what has happened over the Arctic this winter; for while at ground level the Arctic region was unusually warm, temperatures 15-20km above the Earth’s surface plummeted. WMO officials say the latest losses, which are unprecedented, were detected in observations from the ground and from balloons and satellites over the Arctic.
“The Arctic stratosphere continues to be vulnerable to ozone destruction caused by ozone-depleting substances linked to human activities,” said the WMO’s secretary general, Michel Jarraud.
The ozone layer is not expected to recover until 2045-2050, unless something changes, either for better or for worse.
The Independent contributed to this story.
Related articles
- Arctic ozone layer hits record low (talesfromthelou.wordpress.com)
- UN: Ozone layer over Arctic thinner than ever (cbsnews.com)
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its dangerous to your health salamat
China?…no mate…Kevin Spacey..;-)
Besides…if the World ends on December 21st 2012 I will be extremely pissed off. My birthday is December 22nd.
The World wouldn’t dare to end the day before MY birthday!!!..;-)
It will end though…before ir should. It’ll be our fault you know. All our fault.
The world won’t decide to do anything until it is too late, or almost too late, by that time it will be China calling the shots.