FACT 10 (the hole in the ozone layer) The release of ozone-destroying chemicals by human activity has resulted in holes in the ozone layer, exposing humans, plants and animals to harmful radiation against which they have little defense. The good news is that these chemicals have been banned, and the ozone hole may recover.

Some quotes to illustrate…
Ozone levels over Antarctica are down 30% from the 'benchmark' 1964-76 levels, and the hold has drifted over populated areas in South America. CFCs and other ozone-destroying chemicals have been banned since 1996, but scientists say it will be decades before the ozone layer recovers (ENN article, Ozone levels over Antarctica down 30%, UN says. 30 August 2000).
We have carved two giant holes in the ozone layer, vastly increasing the exposure of people, plants and animals to damaging radiation from the sun. Although the industrial North, the source of most ozone destroying chemicals, has made important progress on this issue, much of the rest of the planet is not yet on board. (The Official Earth Day Guide to Planet Repair, Denis Hayes, 2000, p3)
What's this got to do with me?

The above information has a lot to do with all of us because…
1. We are part of the problem - individuals contribute to environmental destruction through consumption of goods and energy, through building inefficient or efficient houses, through influencing business practices beneficially or otherwise, and sometimes through silent acceptance of government's environmentally destructive policies and actions.
2. We can't escape the consequences - slowly but surely, harmful effects of the way societies have abused the planetary ecology is affecting almost everyone's day-to-day lives, and this will intensify.
3. We are part of the solution - no change happens without people such as ourselves changing our behaviour and trying to influence society's behaviour constructively. 
We need to change course. Fortunately there's much we can do easily and inexpensively. Often it's just a question of changing behaviour. The priority areas of attention are pointed out in the '10 things you can do' information. Please read it.

This information was made available by the;
Sustainable Living Centre, P.O.Box 261, Noordhoek, 7878, Cape Town
Tel (021) 789 2920 fax (021) 789 2954
email info@sustainable.co.za  web www.sustainable.co.za