Breaking News:
Antarctic Ozone Hole
Smaller This Year

[New Zealand] According to The National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) a gaping hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica appears to have shrunk by about 20 percent. This year the hole peaked at about 24 million sq km compared with 2003's 29 million sq km record-breaking size, say New Zealand scientists.

The ozone layer lies about 9-19 miles above the earth, filtering harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer. Industrial chemicals containing chlorine and bromine used in refrigerators and aerosols have been blamed for thinning the layer because they attack ozone molecules, causing them to break apart.

NIWA scientist Stephen Wood cautiously said, "We need to see smaller or less severe ozone holes over a number of years before we can say for certain that [the] ozone [layer] is recovering."

Under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, more than 180 signatory states have committed to phasing out the use of nearly 100 ozone-damaging substances, and hopefully this action is actually bearing results in a recovering ozone layer.

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Master's Reminders: Try to use more solar power or any form of green energy. Go in groups by car and the like, cut down on unnecessary use of fuel, gas and electricity whenever possible, use economical light bulbs etc. (with the same or greater brightness).

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