Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
UNWLA 100
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
In order for us to live in a healthful environment, we must eliminate or at least minimize the formation o f the “bad” ozone on the ground and prevent the depletion o f the “good” ozone above. Since 1978, when the US banned the use o f CFCs as aerosol propellants, scientists have been measuring the ozone layer. The biggest hole in the ozone layer appears over the South Pole each year during the Antarctic winter. In October 2000, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that the Antarctic ozone hole was the greatest on record. It has spread to Chile and southern Argentina. Originally, this hole was bigger than the continental United States. Satellite data from 2000 reveals that the ozone hole now covers more than 10.4 square miles, the size o f North America. Ozone thinning has been found in the stratosphere above the northern half o f the US. The hole extends over Canada and up into the Arctic regions to the North Pole. Between 1978 and 1991 there was a 4-5 percent loss o f ozone in the stratosphere over the United States. Ozone holes have also been found over northern Europe. There is also statistical evidence o f increased incidence o f skin cancer not only in the southern hemisphere (Australia, South Africa) but also world-wide. Since 1987 over 160 nations have signed a landmark environmental treaty, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Protocol and its amendments control the phase-out o f ODS production and use. Under the MP several international organizations report on the science o f ozone depletion, implement projects to help move away from ozone depleting substances and provide a forum for policy discussion. An Amendment to the original Protocol bans (after 1995) CFC production in the developed countries Under the sponsorship o f the UN Environ mental Programme (UNEP) and the World Mete orological Organization (WMO), the scientific community issues periodic reports. An international consensus about the causes and effects o f ozone depletion has emerged. In the US, the 1990 Amendment o f the Clean Air Act (Title IV) has added provisions for the protection o f the ozone layer. These include EPA regulatory programs aimed at ending the production o f ozone depleting substances; strictly regulating proper recycling o f old refrigerants and fire extin guishing agents; identifying safe and effective alternatives to ozone depleting substances; banning the release o f ozone-depleting refrigerants during the service, maintenance and disposal o f air conditioners and other refrigeration equipment; and enforcing mandatory labeling o f products containing or made with the most harmful ozone depleting substances. Major US manufacturers have complied with the ban and have reformulated their products, some voluntarily and ahead o f EPA’s phase-out schedule. Still there are the non-believers who blame the “ozone scare” on “extreme radicals”. Some claim that volcanoes, not CFC’s, are the real cause o f the atmospheric chlorine that depletes the ozone layer. This is not true. Volcanoes have been erupting since time immemorial but the ozone hole was first noticed in the early 1970’s. Volcanoes are not high enough and their most violent eruptions are not strong enough to carry chlorine into the stratosphere. Another myth claims that CFC’s and other ozone depleting substances cannot reach the ozone layer because they are heavier than air. While it is true that these compounds are heavier than air, atmospheric currents and cross-currents carry them into the stratosphere. Because o f the atmospheric carry-over the CFC distribution is even world-wide. There are those who contend that ozone depletion occurs only in Antarctica. Current scientific studies prove them wrong. Satellite, balloon and other measurements show depletion over the United States, Europe and Africa. W hat is the long-term prognosis? The ban resulting from the Montreal Protocol is beginning to have an effect. Unfortunately, the ozone recovery will not necessarily happen steadily because of natural fluctuations in weather patterns. The recent change in the extremely cold weather in the Antarctic, for example, slows the dissipation and decay o f CFCs and causes them to destroy ozone faster. There is also the matter o f bromine which is even harder on ozone and about 45 times as powerful as chlorine. It is less tightly regulated because in many countries, strict regulation would entail a significant loss o f income. The current estimate is that the ozone holes may heal in 50-60 years if - and only if - we reduce the production and emission o f their causes now. What can be done on an individual basis both for “good” and “bad” ozone? Education, education, and education. Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
Page load link
Go to Top
1 
2-3 
4-5 
6-7 
8-9 
10-11 
12-13 
14-15 
16-17 
18-19 
20-21 
22-23 
24-25 
26-27 
28-29 
30-31 
32-33 
34-35 
36-37 
38-39 
40 
