Study: Ozone layer has stopped shrinking

[Hummusisyummus]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The ozone layer has stopped shrinking but it will take decades to start recovering, U.S. scientists reported on Tuesday.

They said an international agreement to limit production of ozone-depleting chemicals has apparently worked, but the damage to ozone has not been halted completely.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/08/31/ozone.layer.reut/index.html

If we work together we can get things done. :cry: So beautiful...

[Ludi]

Well yay! I guess we can start using CFCs again!


Not.

[Ilikequorn]

Good- I didn't want to fry up and get skin cancer.

But everythings okay now so *looks for CFCs to spray into the atmosphere*

[Walter]

Wait -- did they really limit the CFCs in the world to such a level that it's made a difference? That's surprising.

[Diana]

I read a COMPLETELY different report made by a different group of scientists last week. According to this report, it is still growing.

So I remain very sceptical. I would like to know who these scientists are funded by.

[Ramona]

I honestly think they shouldn't tell the public if the ozone has stopped deteriorating. This is one situation where if the public thinks they have to be more aware and careful about the envioronment then the government should continue to let them think this.

I know that this is keeping information from the masses, but I fear that people will return to old and dangerous habits if they feel there is no longer a threat to the enviornment when there still clearly is one, even if it is not as huge a threat.

[Diana]

So I found an article on the BBC web-site about this dated August 30.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4197566.stm


It probably is shrinking, but ironically at present the article says:

"New readings from the European satellite Envisat suggest that this year's southern hemisphere ozone hole may be one of the largest on record.

The hole covers an area of 10 million sq km (four million sq miles) - approximately the same size as Europe.

It is expected to continue expanding for two to three weeks."

That is one helluva big hole. :dizzy:

[Amy SF]

I honestly think they shouldn't tell the public if the ozone has stopped deteriorating. This is one situation where if the public thinks they have to be more aware and careful about the environment then the government should continue to let them think this.

I know that this is keeping information from the masses, but I fear that people will return to old and dangerous habits if they feel there is no longer a threat to the environment when there still clearly is one, even if it is not as huge a threat.

Return to old and dangerous habits?

Pardon me for being cynical, but I don't think people ever STOPPED their old and dangerous habits. When they drive their gas-guzzling SUVs three blocks just to run an errand, when they use gasoline powered lawn mowers, when, on election day, they're more interested in staying home and watching American Idol or some other nonsense on the telly than voting out politicians who pass laws easing restrictions on air-polluting multinational corporations, I don't think they care one bit about the hole in the ozone layer. So, we can tell 'em the hole in the ozone layer is now the size of North and South America put together and continuing to grow. They'll just continue right on with their dangerous (not old) habits.

[Diana]

And also, keeping information away from the public is called censorship. Also, these studies are going on in dozens of different meteorological stations and thousands of scientists are involved. How on earth can such an information be kept secret? It's not Roswell - it's an enormous hole the size of Europe.

[Amy SF]

Feh, if it was Roswell, people would be more interested. Unfortunately, there just isn't a lot of environmental-related coverage in American news, the American news media are all pretty much owned by corporations.

[Diana]

Amy: Then some smart journalist should start up the rumour that the ozone hole has something to do with aliens and that we need to close it up FAST before they use it to send Weapons of Alien Destruction to destroy the world.

Like the journalist could find proof of some sort that the Roswell thing was the first attempt of the aliens to try and get information on how ozone depletion would help them achieve their evil goals.


Will that work do you think?

[shottah]

Return to old and dangerous habits?

Pardon me for being cynical, but I don't think people ever STOPPED their old and dangerous habits. When they drive their gas-guzzling SUVs three blocks just to run an errand, when they use gasoline powered lawn mowers, when, on election day, they're more interested in staying home and watching American Idol or some other nonsense on the telly than voting out politicians who pass laws easing restrictions on air-polluting multinational corporations, I don't think they care one bit about the hole in the ozone layer. So, we can tell 'em the hole in the ozone layer is now the size of North and South America put together and continuing to grow. They'll just continue right on with their dangerous (not old) habits.

Interesting premise there.....i'm glad you acknowledged it was wrong to keep the truth from the masses. However, your reason for doing is flawed. Similar to keeping the truth from your fellow man. What about making them aware that their efforts are actually paying off, instead of doing perpetually without seeing any results. I think that would make them return to their old ways faster than a sign of progress from their efforts. What do you think?

[cromlixghost]

Amy: Then some smart journalist should start up the rumour that the ozone hole has something to do with aliens and that we need to close it up FAST before they use it to send Weapons of Alien Destruction to destroy the world.

Like the journalist could find proof of some sort that the Roswell thing was the first attempt of the aliens to try and get information on how ozone depletion would help them achieve their evil goals.


Will that work do you think?


Am tempted to run it, in the UK...im sure there are PLENTY of hacks, who would run this scandal!!!!!!

Ghost :lol:

[Diana]

cromlixghost: Watch out dude!! You're soon going to be followed by the Men In Black. Take cover fast!!!!!