The phasing out of nearly 100 substances once used in products like refrigerators and aerosols has stopped the ozone layer being depleted further, although it is not yet increasing, according to a new United Nations report released last week.
And it claimed that international efforts to protect the ozone layer has averted millions of cases of skin cancer worldwide.
So, it seems that society can affect the atmosphere. And, as
luck would have it, society can reverse, at least, this ozone
hole effect.
What other effects can we have on the atmosphere? On the
climate? Our hydro-carbon production could be the new chemical
that has atmospheric and climate effects.
I say we just use Futurama’s solution and when the planet gets too hot we just point all out jets, rockets, and exhaust ports in the same direction and push the Earth a little further out.
When the first reports came out of the effects of CFCs on the ozone layer, I was working for a large paint manufacturer (including spraycans with freon). I presented this article to management but was utterly rejected and told not to spread rumors. Then one of the managers, an avid mountain climber in Alaska, contracted skincancer and was told that the increase in radiation from the thinning of the ozone layer had most likely caused his condition. Within a few months the company had switched from CFC to compressed air propulsion.
Most distressing is the fact that we still use CFC in many applications because it is such a stable compound and does not mix well with other compounds. Thus, in addition to release directly into the air, when CFCs fall to earth they do not attach themselves to dirt, but continue to wash down until it enters a water source. When this water becomes exposed to air , the CFC also evaporate from the water and drift upward until they enter the ozone layer. Here, the chlorine part attaches itself to an ozone molecules, destroying the ozone molecule, but in the process releasing yet another chlorine molecule, which then can attach itself to another ozone molecule, etc, etc. They estimate that it takes about 50 years and the destruction of some 10,000 ozone molecules, before a single CFC molecule is destroyed or flies out into space. But you can imagine the exponential effect on the ozone layer (which is just a few inches thick to begin with) by the presence of a relatively few free CFC molecules. Apparently this process increases when it is colder and is why the hole would grow faster during the winter months.
If we had not taken drastic action then, the north and south poles might have been totally devoid of life by now. But as late as 2007 there has been observations of record destruction of the ozone layer. Apparently the replacement CFC compounds are only slightly less harmful.
I hope this latest report is not a ruse to placate concerned scientists and stimulate sales. These are very convenient but extremely dangerous and persistent compounds.
When the first reports came out of the effects of CFCs on the ozone layer, I was working for a large paint manufacturer (including spraycans with freon). I presented this article to management but was utterly rejected and told not to spread rumors. Then one of the managers, an avid mountain climber in Alaska, contracted skincancer and was told that the increase in radiation from the thinning of the ozone layer had most likely caused his condition. Within a few months the company had switched from CFC to compressed air propulsion.
Amazing all the “unthinkable” things that can be done with a little motivation.
Write4U - 22 September 2010 03:38 AM
(which is just a few inches thick to begin with)
stupid question, but for real?
Write4U - 22 September 2010 03:38 AM
But as late as 2007 there has been observations of record destruction of the ozone layer. Apparently the replacement CFC compounds are only slightly less harmful.
I hope this latest report is not a ruse to placate concerned scientists and stimulate sales. These are very convenient but extremely dangerous and persistent compounds.
Yea, periodically I’ve hear these reports of how the ozone hole is healing, but every time I look at NOAA satellite animations it doesn’t seem to reflect much healing - it is quite variable though from one year to the next. For instance 2002 looks nicely ‘healed’, but 2003 it look huge again, then goes down, but then 2007/2008 looks a bad as any of the nineties images.
But as late as 2007 there has been observations of record destruction of the ozone layer. Apparently the replacement CFC compounds are only slightly less harmful.
I hope this latest report is not a ruse to placate concerned scientists and stimulate sales. These are very convenient but extremely dangerous and persistent compounds.
Yea, periodically I’ve hear these reports of how the ozone hole is healing, but every time I look at NOAA satellite animations it doesn’t seem to reflect much healing - it is quite variable though from one year to the next. For instance 2002 looks nicely ‘healed’, but 2003 it look huge again, then goes down, but then 2007/2008 looks a bad as any of the nineties images.
Yes, at sealevel the ozone layer would be just a few millimeters thick. And yet it shields all life on earth from harmful radiation which is devastating to life, but lets through heat and sunlight which is beneficial to life (as we know it) on earth. Without this fragile shell most life on earth would perish. Of all the natural protections which we take so for granted, the ozone layer is probably the most fragile and it is amazing to see what we try to get away with for the sake of a few bucks. It is odd that we should call money “green”.
Instead, the government should foster a massive awareness program, informing the world’s population of the dangers the ozone layer faces from man made pollutants. The developed countries have made a small effort, true, but the harmful CFCs are still used in underdeveloped countries and as I explained you cannot get rid of the stuff by burying it. It will not mix and eventually will rear its ugly head in the ozone. It is a “demon” compound.
In fact, theists should jump on this bandwagon. To so completely ignore the ID of god’s creations (in theist terms) should be called blasphemy!!. The use of CFCs is a deadly sin, both in science and in religion.
p.s. While the newer compounds are less destructive, they foster “greenhouse effect”.
p.p.s. Think of how many molecules there are in a single ounce of CFC. then multiply this by 10,000 ozone molecules destroyed.
Take that! You dirty stinky hippies. We managed to keep farting out toxic gases and fix the ozone layer. Epic WIN!
Nobody had to make any major changes to their lifestyle and nobody was greatly inconvenienced.
IMO let the scientists do their job and keep the politics out of it.
Interesting you should mention “convenience”. I read several articles from denier websites and they all espouse the great benefits of these compounds to mankind. My question is, what does man’s comfort have to do with survival? A heroin addict may feel comfort after shooting up (a “convenient” way to get high), but is it healthy?
