Currently the big issue today with regards to the environment is global warming. However when I younger (late 80's/early 90's) I remember the hole in the ozone layer being the big issue with regards to the environment. Whatever happened to this issue. Is the hole in the ozone layer still a problem (which is not publicised by the media) or did the issue die away as a result of increasing evidence that human activity was not to blame for the hole in the ozone layer. Why are we no longer concerned about the ozone layer anymore??
2007-03-13 03:46:27 · 14 answers · asked by Spence 3 in Environment
This makes me angry. The fact is that the 1984 Veinna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone layer resulted in ratificaion of the Montreal Protocol. So far, the aims and targets of this protocol have been extremely successful due to the phasing out of CFCs and halons by participating countries. For this reason the ozone hole has been slowly recovering. If it was not for the montreal protocol, the ozone hole would be 10 times larger in the year 2050 than it is now (which would be a huge threat to life on earth as harmful UV layers would reach our level without being filteres out). This successful phasing out of CFCs and the efforts made by participating countries is an example of how we can remediate problems caused by nobody but ourselves. In no way was it a "money making scam" as CFCs made industrial activities cheaper and more efficient. The science is there - do not judge what you dont understand. A problem does exist however with CFC replacements (HCFCs have been used due to their ability to react with gases such as OH and hence do not travel to the stratosphere) as have global warming properties. Basically, the ozone hole is still a problem but the work being done to reduce and prevent it from growing is continueing .
2007-03-13 06:57:32 · answer #1 · answered by kt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There was an international treaty which limited and then banned the use of ozone depleting gases.
Now the hole in the ozone layer is closing up again
This shows that those who were saying "It's a natural thing; nothing to worry about" were wrong just like the idiots who deny man's role in Climate Change are now.
And to those who think it made no real difference, go talk to the families of those Australians who lost loved ones to skin cancer
2007-03-14 06:30:37 · answer #2 · answered by Mawech 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is quite hilarious actually.......a lot of naive enviro-greenies who believe whatever seems trendy to believe have now merged the Ozone Hole problem, which leads to increased solar ultraviolet radiation (not heat) reaching the earth's surface, into the Global Warming issue.
Just read some of the responses to general questions about Global Warming here in Y!A and you'll see them ratlle off speil about both ozone depletion and SUVs causing islands to sink in the same breath.
2007-03-13 11:38:05 · answer #3 · answered by Evita Rodham Clinton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's unfortunate, because after the globe banned CFC's, they felt that they did their "job" and stopped the problem. But the ozone hole still continues to grow today because many countries still use CFC's AND there are other chemicals that destroy ozone, such as chlorine, bromine, methyl bromide, and more.
We're probably not as concerned because of the larger problem of global warming. I think the ozone hole will reappear in the news again.
2007-03-13 11:50:21 · answer #4 · answered by glacier_kn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nations of the world agreed to drastically reduce chlorofluorocarbons use in the Montreal Protocol of 1987, to protect the ozone layer. Since then, it's been slowly recovering, although it's not yet back to normal. It is considered the most successful international environmental agreement in history. Here's some websites, in increasing order of detail:
http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/library/earthmatters/sept1999/pages/page4.html
http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/docs/003-077/003-077.html
http://www.theozonehole.com/montreal.htm
Hopefully, something similar will save us from the worst effects of global warming. Kyoto clearly wasn't it. Some didn't participate, others are not living up to their agreements.
2007-03-13 11:55:05 · answer #5 · answered by Bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem certainly hasn't gone away and it was particularly bad last year http://www.theozonehole.com/nasaandnoaa.htm Some scientists predict it will heal by 2065 but guess that is to be seen. For those living in affected areas think the consquences are visible
2007-03-13 12:34:33 · answer #6 · answered by Shynney 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That hole got so big it now is global.
If you believe human activity is not to blame just keep pulling those treas and using the jet planes and see if our air quality and temperature remains comfortable.
Too late when damage is done.
2007-03-13 10:53:06 · answer #7 · answered by Jewel 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
CFC's have been banned and everybody knows to wear suncream. There is little more we can do about it. Ozone does regenerate and should do in time.
2007-03-13 10:52:24 · answer #8 · answered by CJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haven't you noticed that there's a huge debate going on at the moment about so called 'global warming'? Did you see the TV prog last week on this subject? Food for thought that's for sure.
2007-03-13 10:52:33 · answer #9 · answered by jet-set 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The green facsists have moved on to their latest hot topic.
Don't believe everything (anything?) these doom mongers tell us all.
We used to grow vines in Yorkshire until it got cold. Roll on the warming!
2007-03-13 16:26:09 · answer #10 · answered by a Real Truthseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋