Ozone layer: Healing itself or getting worse?

Question

I have read in trusted sources, stories that say the ozone layer is continuing to deplete AND stories that say it is almost fully recovered. Al Gore even claimed it is fixed completely. What is the truth and what would anyone have to gain from lying about it?

Answer 1

Viewed from space the ozone layer appears as a thin filament around the planet earth. It is invisibly involved with protecting earth's inhabitants from harmful rays from the sun, much like a filter of any kind. The ozone layer breathes what we put in it. Gases exchange between the earth's atmosphere and space. If we through our consumption continue to impair it's ability to "breath" then it will continue to function though compromised. For instance, if we smoke our lungs will continue to function even in a compromised state, if we choose to continue to smoke, then the lung tissue cannot heal itself. A person must stop smoking to reverse whatever damage has been done to the lungs, I might add, early enough that years of cure can set in and restore the tissue to a healthy state. This is the best analogy to explain the off and on explanations of the status of the ozone layer. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

It's replenishing but changes with the seasons of the year.

Answer 3

I don't think AL Gore said it was fixed completely. I think he said it was improving.

Answer 4

http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/Ozone/ozonelayer.html

http://www.ozonelayer.noaa.gov/

Answer 5

it is slowly replenishing