Scientists confirm Ozone depletion at record levelsDepletion of the Ozone layer over the Arctic has hit record levels according to the WMO (United Nations World Meteorological Organisation). This winter to spring saw 40% of the Ozone layer disappear compared with the previous record of 30%.

"Depletion of the ozone layer - the shield that protects life on Earth from harmful levels of ultraviolet rays - has reached an unprecedented level over the Arctic this spring because of the continuing presence of ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere and a very cold winter in the stratosphere," the WMO said in a statement today.  

There are still those who would deny that our climate is warming - it is beholden upon us all to minimise the effect we have upon our environment and to spread the truth of our situation to as many as possible. It is a sad indictment of the times that ALL current environmental policy objectives in relation to emissions, are not aimed at reducing global warming - they are designed to reduce the rate at which we add to global warming. In other words we cannot reverse what has already been done - we can merely slow the degeneration down.

The WMO revealed its Arctic data at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) annual meeting in Vienna.

*Update 09/04/2011*

It was revealed by scientists at the same conference that the latest modelling predictions show New York will be 'at risk' from rising sea levels to a degree which will be 20% higher than other cities and nations affected. What has gone largely unreported is that other scientists are arguing forcibly that 'at risk' is a 'huge underestimate'.

A Planet Flipside Discussion on current issues distressing the Planet can be found at Planet In Crisis