EARTHKEEPING NEWS
A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY

Volume Four, Number Four
March/April 1995

Call to Action:

Stop Permitting Ozone Depletion

The hole in the ozone layer of the stratosphere over Antarctica has grown measurably since it was first brought to public attention in 1974. At that time Sherry Rowland and Mario Molina published the now famous theory of how chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), widely used in aerosol propellants, refrigerants and coolants, could destroy earth's protection against excessive ultraviolet radiation. Further study and extensive measurements with satellites, weather balloons and converted spy planes equipped with special detection devices have all served to increase our understanding of the threat to the web of life posed by these and other chemicals.

Studies have shown that excessive ultraviolet radiation associated with increased ozone depletion, especially in the spring, suppresses the immune system in plants and animals, damaging the ocean phytoplankton, midges, frog and salamander eggs, and eastern white pines, to name a few. In short, the increased rates of ozone depletion are damaging the entire food chain.

The loss of protection also increases the incidence of skin cancer and cataracts. The American media may warn people about too much exposure to the sun (the ultraviolet index), but they do not associate that with the ozone depletion rate, as they do in Australia which is waging a major campaign against ozone destroyers. If people here knew the connections, they would stop using chemicals that release ozone destroying fluorine, chlorine and bromine into the atmosphere. However, that would jeopardize the profits of the chemical manufacturers, so we do not hear about it.

Methyl bromide is one of the most prevalent and potent ozone depleters in the world today (bromine is 40 times more destructive than chlorine). It is widely used as a pesticide by tomato and strawberrygrowers in Florida and California. The Methyl Bromide Working Group, a chemical industry lobby, is fighting all current and future regulations against its use, and with a sympathetic Congress, they may win.

But citizen pressure on the pocketbook can help reduce the ozone depletion rates.

  1. We can educate ourselves on the complexities of the issues and the ongoing global efforts to close the hole in the ozone layer.
  2. We can get rid of methyl bromide as we did aerosols, by boycotting produce sprayed with methyl bromide.
  3. We can protest the illegal importing of CFCs in appliances, and demand alternative refrigerants; or import European refrigerators which use hydrocarbon gas instead of CFCs.

For more information write John Passacantando, Ozone Action, 1621 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC 20009.

Home     Table of Contents