1. WHAT HAVE WE DONE ?

Since the early 1930's, to the present day, human beings have conducted a virtual chemical warfare against the ozone layer, by pumping millions of tonnes of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) into the atmosphere.

Not surprisingly, each year the ozone layer is more damaged than in previous years, and the ozone crisis is rapidly escalating.

In March 1995 scientists reported an alarming thinning of the ozone layer over the Arctic, Siberia and Scandinavia. In some altitudes ozone levels were 50 per cent below those previously observed. On average, a 20-30 per cent reduction in Arctic ozone levels was reported. The British newspaper, The Guardian, headlined its front page story, "First Ozone Hole Found Over Arctic".

On September 12, 1995 the World Meteorological Organization reported that ozone depletion over the Antarctic was "so far the most rapid depletion on record" with severe ozone depletions covering "about 10 million square kilometres (about the size of Europe)". This was double the size of the Antarctic ozone hole during the same period in 1993 and 1994, which until 1995 had the "lowest ozone values ever observed by scientists".

The ozone layer's most vulnerable period is expected around 1998-2000 when the accumulated atmospheric chlorine/bromine levels from human made chemicals will be the highest. At that time ozone depletions will be the most severe and UV-B radiation at the highest.

The ozone layer is the Earth's primary protective shield against the sun's deadly ultraviolet rays. The thining of the ozone layer allows more ultraviolet-B radiation to reach the surface of the Earth. Higher levels of UV-B radiation dramatically increase the risk of severe damage to human health (e.g. eye diseases, skin cancer, immune system suppression) and also endanger crops, forests, plants, marine life and wildlife.