The industrial slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has not curbed record levels of greenhouse gases which are trapping heat in the atmosphere, increasing temperatures and driving more extreme weather, ice melt, sea-level rise and ocean acidification, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The lockdown has cut emissions of many pollutants and greenhouse … [Read more...]
Image series shows ozone hole development since 1979
The stratospheric ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet light, which damages DNA in plants and animals (including humans) and leads to skin cancer. Prior to 1979, scientists had not observed concentrations below 220 Dobson Units. But in the early 1980s, through a combination of ground-based and satellite measurements, scientists began to realize that … [Read more...]
Ozone hole might slightly warm planet
A lot of people mix up the ozone hole and global warming, believing the hole is a major cause of the world's increasing average temperature. Scientists, on the other hand, have long attributed a small cooling effect to the ozone shortage in the hole. Now a new computer-modeling study suggests that the ozone hole might actually have a slight warming influence, but because of … [Read more...]
Ozone hole still gapes yearly
Every August, the ozone hole begins to grow over Antarctica, reaching its maximum size by late September. But by the New Year, it's gone again. Russell Schnell, of NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory, explains the weird forces behind the ozone hole's formation—and why, in recent years, an ozone hole has capped the Arctic too. This is SCIENCE FRIDAY. I'm Ira Flatow. 21 … [Read more...]
HFC’s in your fridge is a dangerous greenhouse gas
Brazil, China and India have the dubious honor of becoming the first nations to directly contradict the pledges made at the Rio+20 summit last month. All 193 member states of the UN signed the declaration in Rio which included: “We recognize that the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances is resulting in a rapid increase in the use and release of high global-warming … [Read more...]
Audi plants another 350 trees to commemorate arbor month
The 16th September marks another greening day for the residents of Olievenhoutbosch as Audi and FTFA celebrate Arbor Month and the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Audi of South Africa has embarked on a Greening Project with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) that will see the distribution of over 25 000 trees to indigent communities. Audi SA is … [Read more...]
