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2008 ozone hole larger than last year

esa.int — This year the area of the thinned ozone layer over the South Pole reached about 27 million square kilometres, compared to 25 million square kilometres in 2007 and a record ozone hole extension of 29 million square kilometres in 2006, which is about the size of the North American continent.

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  • mycutepetpics, on 10/13/2008, -21/+6And yet after reading this, you will still go out and drive your car or truck. If you are a women, you will still use 1-2 bottles a week of hair spray. The worst pollution giving off factories will also close down, as long as their is money to be made.

    Humankind will not try to fix or stop the damage, they will just look for a way to survive it!
    • SkippyDoorknob, on 10/13/2008, -0/+26One to two bottles of hairspray a week? This isn't the 80's anymore.

    • schnikies79, on 10/13/2008, -1/+24The U.S. doesn't use CFC's anymore. Cars and trucks produce CO2 and a few other gases, none of which affect the ozone layer.

      Quit spouting garbage.
      • mycutepetpics, on 11/03/2008, -1/+1Only one spouting garbage is your brain and the stupid mouth of yours. Wow so you mean to tell me that all the truck and cars in the world don't have an effect on the ozone whatsoever?! Lol!
        Did your Science classes take place in a cave with stick figures on the wall?
        You must live in some fairy tale land where cars emissions come out crystal clear and truck pollution doesn't exist right?!
        Is it called Smurf land or Barbie world?

        Good luck with your 2nd grade classes next year. and tell momz to put down the licks and crack next time she has a baby k
    • paloooz, on 10/13/2008, -0/+2http://googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1= ...
    • InJectaH, on 10/13/2008, -2/+4"Humankind will not try to fix or stop the damage, they will just look for a way to survive it!"

      How do you survive being so retarded?
      • mycutepetpics, on 11/03/2008, -0/+1If you don't know that one then you really are retarded. I am sorry for talking down on you and your disability but what planet do you live on?
    • borez, on 10/13/2008, -1/+1Hairspray is ruining the world
    • thenumbertoo, on 10/13/2008, -3/+2astronomical FAIL!
  • kevinlouis, on 10/13/2008, -14/+8It will become more big because of us .We people are increasing pollutants by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources ,to increase out luxury and nt caring about nature .
    • SkippyDoorknob, on 10/13/2008, -1/+6Looks at the 10 year chart on the page. The hole size is all over the place from year to year.
      • ColorBlind, on 10/13/2008, -1/+4*hint: because it's not really based on global confusion, but more so on things we obviously dont yet understand

        /agreeing with you
    • barstegry, on 10/13/2008, -0/+8Dugg for using the phrase "more big"
    • arjie, on 10/13/2008, -0/+6Actually, predictions show that with the way we're handling things now, everything should be good within this century. Unless we begin to screw up, which we've pretty much stopped doing w.r.t. to ozone depletion.

      If you read the article you would see that the larger hole is most likely to be due to prevailing weather conditions, and the way atmospheric currents are behaving there at this time. Don't worry, this time we done good. Major props to the US and Canada, and those Scandinavian countries for taking the initiative to ban CFCs.
    • Rowwen, on 10/14/2008, -0/+0CFCs cause ozone depletion dumbass!
  • lovemorgul, on 10/13/2008, -2/+9Ozone found in about 25 kilometres altitude that acts as a sunlight filter shielding life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays.
    • Barackalypse, on 10/13/2008, -2/+1So does the glass on my house and office and my clothing, I'm not worried.
      • Rowwen, on 10/14/2008, -0/+0You do realize that if the ozone's gone there will be more ultraviolet rays. A T-shirt can't do that. A normal one could block UV right now.
    • iFrikkenR, on 10/13/2008, -0/+2Yep, and being a New Zealander, the hole quite regularly stretches up over our small country, and even when the hole itself doesn't make it, the thinner ozone definitely does

      On a mildly sunny day here I can burn outside in 5minutes. When I was in the US and Canada for summer last year, it would take me a good hour or more to burn in direct sun. The UV reactive hands on my watch are a good indicator even, a few seconds of sunlight here and they'll glow even in a well lit room.

      NZ and Australia also have the highest incidents of skin cancer in the world. Whether we helped caused the ozone hole or not, it's a harmful reality of life for many of us.
  • ipek, on 10/13/2008, -2/+8Wow...shocking!
  • SteelChicken, on 10/13/2008, -1/+38CFC's have been banned in North America and Europe for decades now. Vehicles do not produce CFC's, and only the poorer nations of world still use them at all. Wounds take time to heal.
    • ColorBlind, on 10/13/2008, -0/+6Thank you, at least someone knows what they are talking about.
    • Rowwen, on 10/14/2008, -0/+0You should've put that as a reply to the comment by kevinlouis.
  • frenchkick, on 10/13/2008, -4/+15it's those damn cows.
    • lamejoketeller, on 10/13/2008, -1/+7that's global warming, not the ozone.
      • Lazydriver, on 10/13/2008, -0/+1Doesn't C02 make up our Atmosphere and keep it from getting too cold or too warm?
  • Frost9999, on 10/13/2008, -4/+9Don't want to rain on anyone's parade - but hasn't there always been an ozone hole since the first observations were made?
    • forsight, on 10/13/2008, -2/+3you little man you, this article is about the ozone depleting ever more, creating a larger hole.

      • Frost9999, on 10/13/2008, -2/+1So if it was shrinking a little every year since it was discovered, would we be complaining about that too? My point is: it may just be growing and shrinking for no apparent reason.
    • spyd3rweb, on 10/13/2008, -4/+1I have always wondered if CFC's actually caused all these problems they claim, or if its just some jammed through agenda like global warming used to bring about social change.
      • bjzq8, on 10/13/2008, -5/+1Fact: CFC's are about 5 times as heavy as air. Heavy things sink, light things rise. We've never had a shortage of ozone at sea level. Perhaps there isn't anything but fear mongering going on here after all?
      • MrKraut, on 10/13/2008, -0/+5@bjzq8:
        Educate yourself. All it takes is a bit of google and some hability to discern decent sources of information, form idiots that think that our actions on the environment have no consequences.
        http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/science/myths/heavier.htm ...
      • kizkiz, on 10/13/2008, -0/+41. you don't know what you're talking about. That is a MYTH. Citation http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/science/myths/heavier.htm ...

        2. If you knew anything about the atmosphere you would also know it is not still - gases get moved around by winds and circulation patterns. Believe it or not, some of these are quite strong! CFCs get into the upper atmosphere - atmospheric measuring balloons confirm this, as do satellite measurements. Look up any basic atmosphere textbook to then explain why CFCs destroy ozone in the upper atmosphere.

        3. Ozone at sea level is a pollutant and doesn't protect us from anything. It is in fact bad for your lungs. It is stratospheric ozone aka. above 10km in the atmosphere that protects us from UV. So this statement alone confirms your ignorance of the whole topic. Please go and read, there is absolutely no excuse not to know about this.
    • CDRaff, on 10/13/2008, -1/+6I totally agree with you. Since our first observations it has had a massive hole, that is not saying that it is not caused by us, it is just saying that a little more study is needed.

      I have always thought of this like someone from a warm climate going to a place that has a summer and a winter and seeing the birds migrate south for the winter. He then says, "Oh *****, the birds are leaving in a huge mass exodus, we have to stop this!"

  • WaFFeL54, on 10/13/2008, -0/+13Is this supposed to be surprising?
  • bluehouse, on 10/13/2008, -16/+4USA! USA! USA! Good job folks! We're doing better than last year. Before you know it we will defeat this so called "ozone" layer and make the world a safer place.
    • dynelol, on 10/13/2008, -2/+6I just farted. Glad I could help.
      • bluehouse, on 10/13/2008, -2/+4Keep it up soldier. We'll get these terrorist yet. Yeah... I said it. This ozone thing is part of the liberal media agenda to keep us focused on the "environment", if such a thing exists, instead of the real problem: Terrorists. Mission Accomplished!
    • BadseedJR, on 10/13/2008, -0/+9Ummm, the US banned CFCs and CO2 is not part of the ozone layer depletion. People need to stop confusing this with global warming. The ozone can be depleted by nitric oxide, hydroxyl, atomic chlorine, and atomic bromine. These are found in CFCs and BFCs (Bromoflourocarbons), both of which are no longer used in the US. Check your facts before you start spewing your reactionist trash.
    • marm0lade, on 10/13/2008, -1/+8bluehouse, you are an idiot. the ozone layer shrinks and expands all the time. over the course of the last decade it has drastically slowed in its depletion rate, and since the lifetime of CFCs in the atmosphere are about 50+ years, we won't see the hole close up for a few generations. you won't hear anyone mention that though, because it doesn't look good for their anti-american/george bush/republican/pro green peace/insert ***** tin foil hat here/yadda yadda campaign.

      didn't hear anything when the ozone layer shrunk shrunk last year, did you? noooooo, how would you be able to make ignorant comments like this if you did?
    • bluehouse, on 10/13/2008, -3/+1BadseedJR and marm0lade, you are both idiots... That whooshing noise you heard when you read my comment was the joke soaring right over your head
      • BadseedJR, on 10/13/2008, -0/+2No, the joke was just horrible.
      • bluehouse, on 10/13/2008, -2/+1good comeback
      • marm0lade, on 10/13/2008, -0/+3Trying to play your ignorant comment off as a joke is not going to change the fact that you are a moron. Try again.
  • thedsack, on 10/13/2008, -1/+5This would only be news if it was smaller than last year...
  • lamejoketeller, on 10/13/2008, -1/+8The Montreal convention banned the use of CFCs as a refrigerant. Even if there is a one year spike in the size of the hole, it will be closed in our lifetime...virtually all scientists agree about that.

    Guess which country played the most crucial role in the Montreal convention, by the way? No, you're wrong, it was the USA. If only we could get the USA to take the lead on climate change, too.
  • temujin2012, on 10/13/2008, -1/+7This was posted a few days ago:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taTzqRHNIEc

    Interesting progression over that past nearly 30 years.
  • moliver21, on 10/13/2008, -5/+2We need to get the hell off of this rock and start inhabiting other planets. Less money on wars, more money on space exploration please.
    • remakeru, on 10/14/2008, -0/+1I don't know why people are not dugging you up...
  • goodinohio, on 10/13/2008, -8/+3Ozone hole was debunked years ago.
  • jerrycurley, on 10/13/2008, -0/+2So...long term (2 years) i is decreasing! Nice!
  • wopas69, on 10/13/2008, -6/+1It is going to get a lot worse before it get better, i beat we here that again next year. as long as we are producing all this junk and drive so much and industries transport, etc then it will be worse until its completely environmentally friendly
  • Mahoney07, on 10/13/2008, -0/+3I thought the ozone layer was getting better.
    • kizkiz, on 10/13/2008, -0/+2it will, but CFCs have a very long lifespan in the atmosphere - some over 50 years. So it will fix but it will take a couple of decades probably.
  • Anonchrist, on 10/13/2008, -2/+3It is just a window for God to keep a better eye on us guys. ;) :Palin Wink:


  • alexkball, on 10/13/2008, -1/+2I like warm weather, so sue me.
  • Sakumi, on 10/13/2008, -6/+13Before everyone flashes back to their mid-90s science class, I will note that current information on the ozone layer suggests we did not cause it, and it may have always been there, fluctuating in size. Further research is indeed needed.
    • MattNF, on 10/13/2008, -0/+3Source(s)?
    • Lazydriver, on 10/13/2008, -0/+2Insightful, but, can you give evidence? Ever since CFC's have been banned, the Ozone's been restoring.
      • edmcguirk, on 10/14/2008, -0/+1Since nobody knows what size any "natural" ozone hole might be, it's kind of hard to say it's "restoring".

        The trend has been to get smaller. The CFC's have also been trending smaller. Maybe that's all we need.

        But the earth's magnetic field has also been changing. That would change the amount of solar radiation that follows the field lines to the south pole in winter. (part of the natural ozone destruction/recreation process)

        Or how about solar activity and sunspot activity?

        As stated in the article, even the seasonal winds have a large effect.

        This year's observation is just a data point. Hard to say if it's good or bad.
    • Rowwen, on 10/14/2008, -0/+0This is ozone depletion not global warming!

      Global warming is disputed.
      Ozone depletion is pretty much agreed pretty much all atmospheric scientist.


      • wunksta, on 10/14/2008, -0/+1global warming is disputed in your little imaginary fairy land, maybe
        the actual science supports it. just because the pundits you watch says its wrong doesnt mean that they are right.
  • narcofiche, on 10/13/2008, -1/+1Maybe John Holmes went to heaven. He's lonely.
  • Sybaek, on 10/13/2008, -0/+6We have Saran wrap. We have duct tape. We have a Space Needle.

    We have the technology.

    FIX IT
  • kolop1, on 10/13/2008, -6/+4You all keep buying into this BS. Fear is a great tool for the government to use on it's people to get what i wants. If you really believe we are harming the earth this much, wake up.
    • leandrotami, on 10/14/2008, -1/+2It seems to be that I won't be able to make you change your opinion, however let me note that not only the US government recognizes the existence of the ozone layer hole. It is acknowledged and studied worldwide.
  • spyd3rweb, on 10/13/2008, -9/+2Goddamn you ***** ecofascist pigs, CFC's haven't been used for years. Driving a car, having industry, and not being subjected to tyrannical rule doesn't cause ozone holes. But of course everything is humans fault and we need to return to the stone age with no technology to satisfy you people.
    • wunksta, on 10/13/2008, -0/+5you didnt read the article did you?
      • spyd3rweb, on 10/13/2008, -2/+1You didn't read the comments did you?
    • wunksta, on 10/14/2008, -0/+1anyway, you may want to read up. CO2 production can lead to higher stratospheric cooling which can damage the ozone and production of chlorine and bromine emissions also helps deplete it

      so, yes, actually driving cars, having industry etc can help deplete the ozone. but i think that by simply advancing technology and utilizing more alternative energy sources we can maintain our current position
  • nfury8ing, on 10/13/2008, -5/+1Cyclical.
    Do people seriously not understand what this means? They rush to the wrong assumption that anytime anything changes for good or bad that they did it.
  • Cyrock, on 10/13/2008, -1/+8http://digg.com/environment/2008_ozone_hole_larger ...
    http://digg.com/environment/2008_ozone_hole_larger ...
    http://digg.com/environment/2008_ozone_hole_larger ...
    http://digg.com/environment/2008_ozone_hole_larger ...
  • iloveobama, on 10/13/2008, -3/+1Those evil SUVs!!! I even heard from scientists that temperatures from other planets are rising. SUVs are even destroying the climate on other planets! It has nothing to do with an increase in the suns activity or anything
  • SemiSarcastic, on 10/13/2008, -0/+1Awesome! It's an ozone layer expansion extravaganza baby!
    *cue guitar solo*
    EVERYBODY IS GONNA MOTHA-*****' DIE!
  • smbrower, on 10/13/2008, -0/+3obviously we should just be using teleporters to travel and the world would be a better place, beam me up scotty
    • backslashdigg, on 10/13/2008, -0/+1beam me to a place with a better digg article please
  • NikoK, on 10/13/2008, -0/+1I think we get it by now..
  • forsight, on 10/13/2008, -4/+1I American, proud to be an American but boy, would I love to smack up some of you idiots who enjoy sitting on your ass and accomplishing nothing.
    • zadadka, on 10/13/2008, -0/+1One word.
      Kyoto.

      You were saying about "sitting on your ass and accomplishing nothing"?
  • DamnMan, on 10/13/2008, -4/+1"The depletion of ozone is caused by extreme cold temperatures at high altitude"

    So then according to the article global warming should help shrink the hole right?
  • nicenerd, on 10/13/2008, -0/+2Obviously all the hot gas from both sides of the election is taking its toll.
  • Patrikimo, on 10/13/2008, -2/+5What are you talking about?! Of course we caused it. I know people in the field, there's been no new evidence to suggest we didn't cause it. If you look at incidence of skin cancer rates for 100 years we can see that there was an increase in UV light (and hence a decrease in Ozone) coinciding with our use of CFCs.. CFCs are extremely long lived they will take on the order of a 100 years to dissipate and will continue to do damage for many years. The Ozone layer isn't expected to heal to a reasonable level for many decades. Stop spreading lies please.
  • TheInformer, on 10/13/2008, -0/+4Not as large a hole as Jamie Lynn Spears it seems
  • AboveandBeyond, on 10/13/2008, -0/+1it's called goatsie people.
  • kizkiz, on 10/13/2008, -0/+4To all the conspiracy theorists above who think they're being very clever: the ozone hole is NOT the same as climate change!
    Thank you.
    *breathes*
  • mrzeero, on 10/13/2008, -0/+3It's just god clearing the way to heaven for our souls.
  • nextbgates95, on 10/13/2008, -0/+1Hit the ***** shift key.
  • ChevelleSS, on 10/13/2008, -6/+2Hole in Ozone is such a bunch of HOGWASH. It has always been there. When Mount St. Helens blew, the "Hole" got 8 times larger. Within two years, it went back to NORMAL size like it is now.

    The sky is NOT falling chicken little!
  • spritom, on 10/13/2008, -1/+1Like throwing a hot dog down a hallway.
  • nmessick, on 10/13/2008, -2/+4Remember the HUGE backlash against CFC's a few years ago... most current reports on the effectiveness of that whole thing show that moving to other refrigerants made the problem worse, not better because the replacement gas's are so much less efficient than those based on CFC's requiring more electricity to do the same work, in turn making the problem worse.

    Environmentalist's would get a lot more respect if they did a better job of taking the big picture into account rather than hyper focusing on one small aspect of one small issue.
  • Barackalypse, on 10/13/2008, -2/+1Yet, here we all are, more effected by poor management of the economy than any environmental phenomenon (minus some hurricane victims along the Gulf coast). The hole was bigger in 2006 and we're all still alive, its smaller now and we're still all alive and nobody has come up with any valid reason why we won't be in the future.
  • emdanan, on 10/13/2008, -1/+1NO *****, Scherlock!
  • thenumbertoo, on 10/13/2008, -0/+2that crazy as hell!!
  • rheaume, on 10/13/2008, -0/+2Its just god making a bigger hole to hug us through!
  • bluebirdgm, on 10/13/2008, -0/+1You mean I gave up my Aqua Net hair spray for nothing???
  • Efferri, on 10/13/2008, -1/+0What's the ozone layer?
  • facepalmjpg, on 10/13/2008, -0/+0Caring about the future of the earth is so in right now.
  • Rileyman6678, on 10/13/2008, -1/+2MAN BEAR PIG!
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