Letter: Alarming or alarmist? The statistics of ozone depletion
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: We are right to be concerned about continuing damage to the atmospheric ozone layer and the environmental and ecological consequences ('Think global, act pessimistic', 23 April).
In informing us of the 12-14 per cent decrease in ozone in the first three months of 1993 over North America and Europe, your science correspondent suggests that this could result in a 25 per cent increase in harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching Britain this year because a 1 per cent loss in ozone gives a corresponding increase in UV radiation of between 1.3 and 2 per cent ('Ozone depletion linked to rise in harmful radiation', 23 April).
What he failed to acknowledge is that for many years now ozone depletion in winter months, when ambient ultraviolet levels are low in Britain, has been greater than depletion in the summer months when much smaller ozone losses have been recorded. Consequently, a wintertime loss of ozone of 12-14 per cent would lead to less than a 2 per cent increase in our annual ambient UV exposure this year.
While the latest Nasa report on ozone depletion is alarming, a prediction of UV levels rising by 25 per cent is alarmist.
Yours faithfully,
BRIAN DIFFEY
Durham
23 April
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments