Scientists say ozone depletion slowing
Wednesday, July 30, 2003 Posted: 12:32 PM EDT (1632 GMT)


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The rate of destruction of the protective ozone layer in the upper reaches of the atmosphere is slowing, and scientists say it mirrors a decline in the use of certain man-made chemicals.

Using NASA satellite observations, the scientists say the rate of the ozone layer depletion matches the drop in chlorofluorocarbons, used in refrigeration and air conditioning. The 1987 Montreal Protocols, ratified by more than 170 countries, requires that CFCs be phased out of production and use in developing countries by 2010. Industrialized nations stopped using them in 1996.

Scientists said that it will take decades to repair the damage to the ozone layer, which helps protect the Earth from ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

"Ozone is still decreasing but just not as fast," said Mike Newchurch, associate professor at the University of Alabama and lead scientist on the study. "We are still decades away from total ozone recovery."

link: http://www6.cnn.com/2003/....layer.ap/

Well, even though we're decades away from a full recovery at least it's slightly encouraging.

Cloudbuster said:

just throw up one of Barry Whites boxers and that will cover that hole

Ardeo said:

The fact that the ozone layer can actually repair itself is cause for celebration in my book...

I don't buy any of this crap. Where's WellBeyond when you need him?

teller said:

You don't? Why don't you think it's possible?

applekisses said:

WellBeyond was the man with the research on this, but basically for all we know, the ozone hole opens and closes every 50 years--there's so little data that you could interpret it to mean anything you want it to. But worse: anytime a scientist comes out and dissents with the Environmentalists, he is shunned into silence. The political pressure is deafening, and it makes me distrust the entire field as a bunch of political wackos.

teller said:

It opens and closes every 50 years? WOW! Does anyone know why? I never knew this...very interesting.
What would the scientific explaination/benefit of this be?
I'm really curious about this.

It may be thinking twice before trying to diss' us mofos with the UV, but still, take care out there people. Especially those of you in Australia, California, Florida, and the Mediterranian. At least until the Green House Effect shifts all your good weather over to the UK...

applekisses said:

It's not a fact, it's just one of several possible explanations. My point was that only that anti-industrial explanations ever get heard.

Also, a couple of decades before the global warming scare, there was the global cooling scare.