I’m not doing a full article on this year’s Antarctic ozone hole but you should know that the maximum size appears to have peaked at 24 million sq km, less than the 2006 record year 27 million sq km. Although some media reported this as a downward trend, it is too soon to say because ozone depletion is a complicated process and affected by local weather conditions.

Chilean Children Warned to Stay Indoors

The hole moves and shifts overhead like a unseen gigantic amoeba and on Oct 9 officials in southern Chile warned residents that the hole had extended itself over Punta Arenas and warned children to stay indoors and avoid exposure to the very hi-level UV rays.

Children hiding indoors during the day at the southern tip of Chile could have been the fate for much of the planet without the Montreal Protocol treaty 21 years ago to eliminate some of the ozone destroying chemicals used in deodorants and refrigerants.

This ought to be crucial cautionary tale for climate change.

Some of my previous articles on ozone:

* Skin Would Fry in 5 Mins Without Ozone Treaty says NASA – Precautionary Lesson for Climate

* Monster Ozone Hole (Again) – But your skin would fry in 3 mins without 20-yr old Ozone Treaty

*Skin Cancer Rising Despite New Ozone Deal to Cut CO2 Emissions

*Ozone Hole is Back and Bigger Than Ever