NASA - NASA, NOAA Data Show Significant Antarctic Ozone Hole Remains

NASA - NASA, NOAA Data Show Significant Antarctic Ozone Hole Remains

"The colder than average temperatures in the stratosphere this year caused a larger than average ozone hole," said Paul Newman, chief scientist for atmospheres at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "Even though it was relatively large, the area of this year's ozone hole was within the range we'd expect given the levels of manmade ozone-depleting chemicals that continue to persist in the atmosphere."

The ozone layer helps protect the planet's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ozone depletion results in more incoming radiation that can hit the surface, elevating the risk of skin cancer and other harmful effects.

"The manmade chemicals known to destroy ozone are slowly declining because of international action, but there are still large amounts of these chemicals doing damage," said James Butler, director of NOAA's Global Monitoring Division in Boulder, Colo.

地球如今岌岌可危，身为万物之灵的我们能做些什么？

（Sources from: Nasa -http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/ozone-2011.html )