Antarctica’s Extended Ozone Hole Raises Concerns For Penguin And Seal Breeding 

(elnavegante/Getty Images)

Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forms over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. But over the last four years, even as the hole has shrunk it has persisted for an unusually long time. Our new research found that instead of closing up during November it has stayed open well into December.

This is early summer – the crucial period of new plant growth in coastal Antarctica and the peak breeding season for penguins and seals.That’s a worry. When the ozone hole forms, more ultraviolet rays get through the atmosphere. And while penguins and seals have protective covering, their young may be more vulnerable.

Over the past half century, we damaged the earth’s protective ozone layer by using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and related chemicals. Thanks to coordinated global action these chemicals are now banned….Story continues…

By: Sharon Robinson

Source: Antarctica’s Extended Ozone Hole Raises Concerns For Penguin And Seal Breeding : ScienceAlert

.

Read more: 

Gaza’s olive trees die as sewage floods farms Middle East Monitor (Video) 2d

Climate change worsening air pollution: 131.2 million Americans breathing unhealthy air, warns report Down to Earth 2d

2024 ‘State of the Air’ report and findings are out Science Blog (Weblog) 2d

Composer turns climate data into music. Hear the stirring result Forbes 18:30 Thu, 18 Apr

Dubai rocked by heaviest downpour in 75 years and fatal floods following cloud-seeding missions The Blaze 17:16 Thu, 18 Apr

Reading University denies its ‘cloud-seeding’ technology caused Dubai’s devastating floods MailOnline 12:37 Thu, 18 Apr

In the last half hour

Plastics pollution may be solved without production cap, says Canadian minister Borneo Bulletin 00:45 

In the last hour

Tornado kills at least 5, injures 33, in Chinese metropolis as region battles deadly floods Yahoo! UK & Ireland 00:21 

In the last 4 hours

Advancing the local climate zones framework: a critical review of methodological progress, persisting challenges, and future research prospectsNature.com 22:53 Sat, 27 Apr 

Change in mindset for Vanuatu as it becomes ‘climate smart’ Pacific Regional Environment Programme 22:51 Sat, 27 Apr 

Eco-friendly plastics not working: Biodegradable substances still harming ocean life Study Finds 22:45 Sat, 27 Apr 

Air pollution and depression linked with heart disease deaths in middle-aged adults ScienceDaily 22:39 Sat, 27 Apr 

A call for climate justice The Hindu 22:29 Sat, 27 Apr 

In the last 6 hours

Beavers are helping fight climate change, satellite data shows Space.com 20:48 Sat, 27 Apr 

Mercedes-Benz says US DOJ ended investigation into diesel emissions scandal Yahoo! US 20:03 Sat, 27 Apr 

COP29 host says deal on climate aid essential Kuwait Times 19:52 Sat, 27 Apr 

Over 40 houses damaged in Addu City as bad weather prevails nationwide Raajje.mv 19:28 Sat, 27 Apr 

In the last 8 hours

Wildfires Pose Hidden Threat to Mortgage Lenders and Investors BNN Bloomberg 18:47 Sat, 27 Apr 

Bills Would Hold R.I. Agencies Accountable for Meeting Climate Goals ecoRI News 18:38 Sat, 27 Apr 

Tornado hits China’s hail-battered southern city of Guangzhou as province battles deadly floods with more rain forecast South China Morning Post 18:20 Sat, 27 Apr 

Gaza: two children die in heatwave amid threat to displaced The New Arab 17:59 Sat, 27 Apr 

Earlier Today

They turned cattle ranches into tropical forest — then climate change hit The Verge 16:44 Sat, 27 Apr 

Climate Leaders Debate Goal for Controlling Global Warming Scientific American 16:34 Sat, 27 Apr 

Breaking: Fubara visits scene of Rivers fire disaster, 5 dead, over 100 vehicles… Legit NG 16:27 Sat, 27 Apr 

New chicken megafarms ‘should be blocked’ due to toxic air pollution i News 15:46 Sat, 27 Apr 

Floods leave trail of death and destruction The East African 15:32 Sat, 27 Apr 

Arctic permafrost now a net source of greenhouse gases, say scientists Birdwatch 15:05 Sat, 27 Apr 

Breaking: Fubara visits scene of Rivers fire disaster, promises compensation The Nation, Nigeria 14:53 Sat, 27 Apr 

1 in 3 Americans Live in Areas With Dangerous Air Pollution WIRED 14:40 Sat, 27 Apr 

Amsterdam climate protest blocks A10 highway; Pro-Palestinian group blocks central road NL Times 14:28 Sat, 27 Apr 

Reproductive rights amid climate change Salon.com 12:52 Sat, 27 Apr 

EGT Says Fracked Gas Is a Climate Solution, but Scientists Call That Deceptive Greenwashing Pulitzer Center 12:46 Sat, 27 Apr 

The world is struggling with plastic pollution — Canada is no exception CBC.ca 11:41 Sat, 27 Apr 

Dirty laundry? Major clothing companies like Zara and H&M under scrutiny for allegedly fuelling deforestation in Brazil Business Insider India 11:06 Sat, 27 Apr 

Why was Russia caught off guard by huge floods this month? euronews 09:34 Sat, 27 Apr 

Study shows link between air pollution, stress, and heart health risk News-Medical.Net 07:42 Sat, 27 Apr