The marked depletion of the ozone layer over the Arctic was discovered in the 1980s. It has negative effects on human health (intensified ultraviolet rays cause skin cancer) and biodiversity. According to a Commission press release, a hole in the ozone layer in the Arctic could affect the polar regions, Scandinavia and possibly even central Europe.
European research initiative SCOUT-03 has been studying the links between stratospheric ozone and climate change in the Arctic since May 2004. The project observes changes in the thickness of the ozone layer on a daily basis to predict future development of the ozone layer in global climate models. Fifty nine institutions and over 200 scientists from 19 countries are participating in this initiative.
Overall temperatures in the ozone layer in the Arctic are currently the lowest in 50 years and have been consistently low for the past two months. "The meteorological conditions resemble and even surpass the conditions of the 1999-2000 winter when the worst ozone loss to date was observed. February and March, will be the crucial months for ozone loss in the Arctic," says Dr. Neil Harris, one of the co-ordinators of the SCOUT-03 project.
