Depletion of stratospheric ozone is one of a number of issues of environmental degradation and climate change which are of increasing magnitude and urgency, and which have important implications for public health. Stratospheric ozone depletion has accelerated markedly in recent years. In particular, the drastic reduction occurring over Antarctica during winter was entirely unexpected.
Considerable uncertainty surrounds future predictions of stratospheric ozone.
The Southern hemisphere, particularly its high and mid latitudes, are affected by stratospheric ozone depletion to a greater extent than any other part of the globe. Thus much of Australasia is in the frontline in this regard. Considerable uncertainty surrounds the precise dose-response relationships, critical exposure periods, effects of varying exposure distribution and timing, and time till appearance of each of these health effects. UVR is likely to have adverse effects on marine and terrestrial biota, including fish and many crop plants, affecting food supply and indirectly impacting on human health. This landmark international agreement is an important and laudable achievement, particularly with China and India pledging to sign the Protocol.