Those predictions were made just last year, but an alarm went off at NASA last month when they found the current situation is far worse than predicted. The hole in the ozone had been mainly over the poles. Now there are rents in Gaia's gown over London and Boston, Moscow and Amsterdam. The sudden emergence of the Antarctic ozone hole demonstrates that massive ozone loss can occur rapidly and unpredictably. It has been said by many teachers that to live life well and fully and purposefully, we must live with the awareness of our death.
All priorities are up-ended.
The whole aim of existence becomes saving the life of the beloved, making her comfortable, badgering the doctors, seeking miracles, grasping at straws. Money is no object. Some lash out, become embittered. Others soften, expand, develop compassion. In 1991, it was estimated that if the Montreal Protocols, the international agreement by 93 countries to ban all CFC use by the year 2000, were successful, Gaia's gown still would not be mended for another century.