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Ozone Layer Improving Faster Than Expected

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the go-ozone-go-ozone dept.

SpaceAdmiral writes "Since the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, which limited ozone-destroying gasses like CFCs, the Earth's ozone layer has been recovering. However, new studies show that the ozone in the lower stratosphere is actually recovering faster than the Montreal Protocol alone can explain." From the article: "It's a complicated question. CFCs are not the only things that can influence the ozone layer; sunspots, volcanoes and weather also play a role. Ultraviolet rays from sunspots boost the ozone layer, while sulfurous gases emitted by some volcanoes can weaken it. Cold air in the stratosphere can either weaken or boost the ozone layer, depending on altitude and latitude. These processes and others are laid out in a review just published in the May 4th issue of Nature: 'The search for signs of recovery of the ozone layer' by Elizabeth Westhead and Signe Andersen."

7 of 325 comments (clear)

  1. Unexplained phenomenons by suv4x4 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We're playing with chemicals, eating toxic foods, messing with nature's balance, wasting or restoring ozone layer beyond our comprehension, using electronics that cause tumors and other illnesses... and in this mess somewhere, the bare truth shines:

    we know shit

    1. Re:Unexplained phenomenons by BakaHoushi · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I believe what the OP was stating is that there are certain things we consume that actually are poisonous... in large doses. Alcohol is one such example. Ever heard of alcohol POISONING? No, if you have a beer, you won't die, because your body can deal with such a small level of poison. But keep drinking vodka, whisky, and whatever else you can get your hands on all night long and you could very well die.

      Similarly, cyanide is obviously poisonous. But one molecule? Not so much, because your body can surely handle that. Poisons are only dangerous at various levels.

  2. Re:They got it wrong from the beginning by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Thanks, but I'll take scientific research over seemingly unfounded Slashdot postings any day.

  3. Re:They got it wrong from the beginning by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The world isn't black and white, the fact that CFC's break down the ozone layer doesn't mean that other factor don't also play a part and the fact that other factors influence ozone doesn't mean that CFC's don't break down the ozone layer.

  4. Re:They got it wrong from the beginning by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Sure, it's all natural - the same way that CO2 emissions are increasing naturally. It's all caused by squids rearranging silt deep in the ocean. They'll eventually move it back were it belongs and the CO2 levels will go down again. So don't worry, just drive your SUVs, every problem which is related to "nature" will fix itself automatically. Because if it won't it would just be very inconvenient. And we don't like to worry about inconvenient things now, do we?

    Of course this brain-dead theory has about as much basis in actual science as yours. If you don't believe the measurements indicating that the ozone hole was increasing (back when it was) why do you believe the measurements now that it is decreasing?

  5. Re:science wrong so science wins by xiphoris · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ok - so if I read this right it's saying that things aren't going as predicted. the implied message seems to be something like "science got it wrong" - but the whole point of science is to improve knowledge

    Part of the problem with this system is that things like the Montreal Protocol are not science. It aims to solve a problem that might exist with remedies that might fix it. Note the usage of the world "explains" instead of "predicts". Most scientific theories are like economics: they can 'explain' plenty, but they can't really predict anything. Ultimately, all this talk about the weather is not science because we can't do experiments. There is simply no way to do scientific experiments with the global climate, and so theories about it don't quite make it all the way.

    Using such theories to make worldwide policy is not exactly scientific when there is no actual evidence they have the verified power of prediction.

  6. Re:science wrong so science wins by kirk__243 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    If it's not science, what is it? Superstition?

    This is something that is studied by scientists in a scientific (ie critical and fact based) manner, and then considered and debated by other scientists in the field of study. And you think it's not science?

    You can't experiment on the planet as a whole, but

    - measure the levels of ozone and see a reduction
    - measure the levels of CFC output and see an increase
    - determine through experiments (or simple chemical knowledge) that CFCs reaction with ozone

    and deduce that the increased levels of CFC are decreasing levels of ozone. That's science, through and through.