What happened to the hole in the ozone layer?

Question

Now all we hear about is global warming (yawn). But what about last week's fad, the hole in the ozone layer? Has someone fixed it? Did it even exist? Or is it getting worse?

Answer 1

Have a look at the following link… http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/Key_Topics/The_Ozone_Hole/

That just about sums it up.

For those who can’t be bothered to read it all, the highlights are…

British scientists began their measurements of Antarctic ozone in 1957 and by 1984 it was clear that the Antarctic ozone layer was changing progressively. Just 3 years later we had the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which, if it is followed (and hopefully revised and strengthened), will give a reasonable prospect that the Antarctic ozone hole will permanently repair itself, but not before the next appearance of Halley's comet! (in the year 2061).

You mention global warming too, and ‘bestonnet_00’ comments…

“Yes, it did exist and it still does but successful regulatory action has been able to prevent us from completely screwing it up, let us just hope that global warming is also averted by a post-kyoto treaty that actually matters (i.e. bans fossil fuelled power plants).”

Well, significantly, the article I linked to above, opened with the following…

“The influence of the human race on climate is still a matter for study and speculation, but the ability to perturb the ozone layer is an established fact.”

And that’s the problem with the theory of anthropogenic global warming - it’s just a *theory*. The causes of the Ozone Hole were dealt with quickly, because the evidence was clear and convincing. Despite what you might hear from the global warming alarmists, the evidence for global warming is anything but clear and convincing. I read yet another article today that suggests the warming we are experiencing is natural, and that satellite data shows that there has been no warming since 1978!

Have a read… http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/08/nrclimate08.xml

Answer 2

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

Answer 3

From the wikipedia:

"A 2005 IPCC summary of ozone issues observed that observations and model calculations suggest that the global average amount of ozone depletion has now approximately stabilized."

This is largely due to the reduction in CFC use and the use of none ozone depleting materials.

Answer 4

The very real hole in the ozone layer is slowly recovering thanks to an international treaty called the Montreal Protocol, which phased out the use of CFCs.

It's widely considered the most successful international environmental agreement in history. More here:

http://www.theozonehole.com/montreal.htm

We need someething like it to address global warming. Kyoto wasn't it, som nations didn't sign and others didn't live up to their agreements.

Now that global warming is proven to be very real and very dangerous

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Climate_Change_Attribution.png

http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM2feb07.pdf

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/306/5702/1686

http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSL052735320070407

http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM6avr07.pdf

hopefully we can get a new and better treaty.

Answer 5

I've heard multiple theories. My opinion is it's a naturally occurring phenomenon. Sometimes it's there larger and sometimes it's not.

Depending upon how much money can be made from it, opinions vary. That's my opinion of it.

I bought some old books at an estate sale. It was circa 1962. It said were were in a cycle of global cooling. Four years ago I heard a radio broadcast that said we were 40 years over due for another ice age. Now, we're into global warming? So, why doesn't that explain the cost of my heating bill going up?

Answer 6

We've managed to stop the cause of the problem (i.e. CFCs) but there is still enough left there that it'll get worse before it starts to repair itself but eventually it'll get better.

Yes, it did exist and it still does but successful regulatory action has been able to prevent us from completely screwing it up, let us just hope that global warming is also averted by a post-kyoto treaty that actually matters (i.e. bans fossil fuelled power plants).

Answer 7

Its still there & no doubt getting bigger.The media have got bored with it so its Global Warming then we will be back to the Ozone Layer.

Answer 8

Americans have filled it up with their ever increasing carbon dioxide and all that.

Do you really believe in all that rubbish being peddled by environmentalists? We were told to each plant a tree but now in Yemen they have been told not to plant their stuff because they are now short of water!! It is the stupid environmentalists who are creating all the global warming on this planet!!

Answer 9

It's whats causing global warming, and yes it's getting worse. I think it's just that the problems' escalated, and the problem is now much bigger.

Answer 10

The answer is to rent a space shuttle and fly above the said holes and see for yourself.. one million pounds a trip.