This Year's Antarctic Ozone Hole is the Largest Yet.
reposted | 13.11.2006 22:58 | Ecology
Skin cancer, eye lesions and other infections are on the rise, a reminder that the Antarctic ozone hole continues to be a serious problem, especially for southern Argentina and Chile, where ultraviolet radiation during the spring months increases 25 percent.
The ozone layer covers the entire planet at an altitude of between 15 and 30 kilometres, and protects living organisms from the sun's harmful rays.
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the dramatic thinning of the ozone layer over the Antarctic -- an annual phenomenon -- sprawled to an average of 29.5 million square kilometres Sep. 21 to Sep. 30.
"This year's Antarctic ozone 'hole' is the largest on record," said Achim Steiner, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
"Governments need to reduce and shut down the remaining sources of ozone-depleting chemicals," Steiner said in a statement.
Here is a link to the article:
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=35452
The ozone layer covers the entire planet at an altitude of between 15 and 30 kilometres, and protects living organisms from the sun's harmful rays.
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the dramatic thinning of the ozone layer over the Antarctic -- an annual phenomenon -- sprawled to an average of 29.5 million square kilometres Sep. 21 to Sep. 30.
"This year's Antarctic ozone 'hole' is the largest on record," said Achim Steiner, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
"Governments need to reduce and shut down the remaining sources of ozone-depleting chemicals," Steiner said in a statement.
Here is a link to the article:
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=35452
reposted