A reduction in stratospheric ozone leads to an increase in UV-B radiation, which may damage humans and ecosystems. Museum specimens reveal that visual signs of damage were relatively rare until the 1980s. Because lichen is an important food for caribou and reindeer, the long-term implications for Canada's northland are significant. See Appendix C. Other relevant papers are listed at the end of this Chapter. Although socioeconomic and environmental changes are difficult to predict, there is no doubt that the 21st century in Canada will be quite different from the 20th.
History teaches at least that.
Whether the changes will be unprecedented remains to be determined. Climate Change and Its Biological Consequences , Sinauer Assoc. Canada, Downsview, Ont. Background Paper No. 1, Great Whale Env. She4rbrooke St. W., Suite 1603, Montreal H3A 2N3.