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Ozone Hole Very Big But Short of a Record (New Zealand)
The ozone hole over Antarctica is big but not likely to be the biggest ever, a scientist beneath it said Monday. "This year's hole shaped up to be a whopper," Stephen Wood of New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said from Scott Base in Antarctica. "It hasn't quite made it to the record size reached in 2000, but it has been very close to that mark." ... the hole now stretches 27 million square kilometresmillion square miles), down from 29 million square kilometres (11.6 million square miles) earlier in the winter. In 2000, it reached more than 30 million square kilometres (12 million square miles). Last year the hole -- usually at its largest in September -- shrank to its smallest level in more than a decade and split in two. "Before we can confirm the expected recovery, we would need to see smaller or less severe ozone holes over a number of years," Wood said. "Realistically, it might take another 10 years before we can be sure." NIWA measures the levels of ozone in the upper atmosphere above Scott Base, New Zealands base on McMurdo Sound, due south of here. Wood said the ozone-depleted air was well contained over Antarctica and not affecting New Zealand directly, but later this year when it broke up in November or early December, ozone-depleted air could move over the country. A combination of lower ozone levels with few clouds and summer sun could produce extreme UV levels, and higher risks of skin cancer.
Article @ http://www.terradaily.com/
Source: Terra Daily -quoting: AFP, 22 September 2003
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Stratospheric Ozone Study Indicates More is Needed for Full Recovery: Report Released on the UN International Day to Protect the Ozone Layer (USA)
The world has come far, but not far enough, on solutions to stratospheric ozone depletion, says a study released today by the Global Environment & Technology Foundation. The report, entitled The State of Stratospheric Ozone Depletion, aims to raise the awareness of government officials, business leaders and the public on the current state of the stratospheric ozone issue, informing them of the new technologies available in today's marketplace, and illustrating how an appropriate mix of policies and incentives can motivate actions to mitigate ozone depletion ... Beginning with scientists' first recognition of ozone depletion in the 1970s, the report provides historical context for ozone over the last 30 years and describes current findings and observations on the ozone layer's road to recovery. It examines the role stratospheric ozone plays in the health of the planet and looks at the scope of the problem and actions taken by the international community to reduce ozone loss. The report also identifies the numerous steps taken by governments, business and public citizens to reduce ozone depletion and documents the progress achieved over the last several years. The report indicates that a formidable challenge remains - to cease production and consumption of manmade compounds that are primarily responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer. The report sites evidence that not only has the size of the southern ozone hole reached record proportions in the past few years but increasingly, ozone depletion problems are being observed in the Arctic as well. This evidence indicates a need for more stringent action by the collective global community to ensure all nations stop the production and use of substances that harm the ozone layer ... The report reviews the U.S. response to ozone depletion from the federal and state government perspectives, and looks at the leadership role U.S. industry is playing in developing new substances and processes ...
Executive summary and/or full report, @ http://www.getf.org/cecs/Ozone_Study.pdf
Contact: Anna Garcia, Director of State Programs, Email: agarcia@getf.org
Source: The Global Environment & Technology Foundation, Press release, September 2003
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Please don't jump down my throat - I'm only reporting!
The ozone hole over Antarctica is big but not likely to be the biggest ever, a scientist beneath it said Monday. "This year's hole shaped up to be a whopper," Stephen Wood of New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said from Scott Base in Antarctica. "It hasn't quite made it to the record size reached in 2000, but it has been very close to that mark." ... the hole now stretches 27 million square kilometresmillion square miles), down from 29 million square kilometres (11.6 million square miles) earlier in the winter. In 2000, it reached more than 30 million square kilometres (12 million square miles). Last year the hole -- usually at its largest in September -- shrank to its smallest level in more than a decade and split in two. "Before we can confirm the expected recovery, we would need to see smaller or less severe ozone holes over a number of years," Wood said. "Realistically, it might take another 10 years before we can be sure." NIWA measures the levels of ozone in the upper atmosphere above Scott Base, New Zealands base on McMurdo Sound, due south of here. Wood said the ozone-depleted air was well contained over Antarctica and not affecting New Zealand directly, but later this year when it broke up in November or early December, ozone-depleted air could move over the country. A combination of lower ozone levels with few clouds and summer sun could produce extreme UV levels, and higher risks of skin cancer.
Article @ http://www.terradaily.com/
Source: Terra Daily -quoting: AFP, 22 September 2003
______________________________
Stratospheric Ozone Study Indicates More is Needed for Full Recovery: Report Released on the UN International Day to Protect the Ozone Layer (USA)
The world has come far, but not far enough, on solutions to stratospheric ozone depletion, says a study released today by the Global Environment & Technology Foundation. The report, entitled The State of Stratospheric Ozone Depletion, aims to raise the awareness of government officials, business leaders and the public on the current state of the stratospheric ozone issue, informing them of the new technologies available in today's marketplace, and illustrating how an appropriate mix of policies and incentives can motivate actions to mitigate ozone depletion ... Beginning with scientists' first recognition of ozone depletion in the 1970s, the report provides historical context for ozone over the last 30 years and describes current findings and observations on the ozone layer's road to recovery. It examines the role stratospheric ozone plays in the health of the planet and looks at the scope of the problem and actions taken by the international community to reduce ozone loss. The report also identifies the numerous steps taken by governments, business and public citizens to reduce ozone depletion and documents the progress achieved over the last several years. The report indicates that a formidable challenge remains - to cease production and consumption of manmade compounds that are primarily responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer. The report sites evidence that not only has the size of the southern ozone hole reached record proportions in the past few years but increasingly, ozone depletion problems are being observed in the Arctic as well. This evidence indicates a need for more stringent action by the collective global community to ensure all nations stop the production and use of substances that harm the ozone layer ... The report reviews the U.S. response to ozone depletion from the federal and state government perspectives, and looks at the leadership role U.S. industry is playing in developing new substances and processes ...
Executive summary and/or full report, @ http://www.getf.org/cecs/Ozone_Study.pdf
Contact: Anna Garcia, Director of State Programs, Email: agarcia@getf.org
Source: The Global Environment & Technology Foundation, Press release, September 2003
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Please don't jump down my throat - I'm only reporting!
(I know you are being a bit of a devil's advocate here, but at least lawyers usually have some sort of logical argument worked out before they speak... 
)
with shifts in the gulf stream.... El Ninio/El Ninia effects will change climates along the west cose of the americas. however, we will have cold years (there are fairly accurate seasonal temperature readings (through bog oak) in Ireland going back almost 3000 years... - that covers the 'medieval iceage' - which most of the nay-sayer climate profs use as part of their examples...
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