I've heard that if we continue to pollute the ozone layer, the glaciers will slowly start to melt which results in them moving. They are supposedly going to hit each continent and with that, wipe out all major cities located on the shoreline. Is this just a wise tale or could this possible happen?

-- Amanda Carr (Amarike88@aol.com), May 04, 2001

Answers

Destruction of the ozone layer is not responsible for global warming. The ozone layer (in the stratosphere) blocks out harmful UV radiation from the sun. Thinning of the ozone layer threatens to result in more skin cancer in people and damage to plants and animals. It would not cause glaciers to melt.

-- Sharon Gabel (gabel@oswego.edu), May 08, 2001.

Due to statistical studies pollution of the ozone layer has been causing a increase in gobal temperature world wide. This increase in temperature is the cause of the melting glaciers which could eventually raise the levels of the oceans. In turn it will flood the low lands and cities along the oceans. Though an opposing theory is that pollution in the atmosphere along with increase temperatures could result in an increase in moisture in the air will cause increase cloud cover. Cloud cover could cause an overall decrease in temperature, that could trigger another ice age. (Times magazines 2001)

-- DonnaMarie Bollmann (donnabollmann@hotmail.com), May 04, 2001.