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


NORTH AMERICA


3-  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: [log in to unmask]
Source: The Global Environment & Technology Foundation, Press release,
September 2003


Brian