The National Academy of Science reports that a continent size hole in the Earth’s ozone layer keeps getting bigger and bigger. It reports that the Antarctic hole now measures about 9 million square miles, nearly the size of North America. According to the Academy, two decades ago, most scientists would have scoffed at the notion that industrial chemicals could destroy ozone. But years of study have conclusively identified human made chemicals as a culprit. The Academy reports that the source of the chemicals is mostly from North America, Europe, Russia & Japan and is playing "a leading role in lowering ozone concentrations around the globe."

In 1987 sixteen industrial nations, including the U.S., under President Regan, agreed to a Protocol to end all use of a pesticide, methyl bromide, by 2005. Methyl bromide is a powerful ozone depleting chemical. It is fifty times more destructive to the ozone layer then all the other major classes of chemicals targeted by the treaty. The EPA rates it among the most powerful class of toxic chemicals. It is used with more then 100 crops. In 1994 the United Nations determined that elimination of methyl bromide was the most significant remaining action that nations could take to impact ozone depletion in the next decade. But, by 2004 the Bush administration began to pressure for "critical use" exemptions to continue to use the product. Instead of phasing out the use of the pesticide as promised, sixteen nations, led by the U.S. asked for and were granted exemptions. But the Bush administration’s request for an exemption exceeded the request from all other countries combined and would allow 21.9 million pounds in 2005 and 20.8 million pounds in 2006. This week the administration obtained international approval for the use of thousands of tons of the pesticide. The decision came over the objections of European nations and despite the recommendations of the treaty’s own technical committee. It also came after the Bush administration threatened that the United States would would withdraw from the treaty’s provisions altogether if its demands were not met. Ironically the treaty (The Montreal Protocol), agreed in 1987, was only brought about through the drive and commitment of the Reagan administration – in which George Bush Sr. served as Vice-President.

By the end of last year, the administration had allowed the stockpiling of almost 11,000 tons. For chemical producers it is a windfall. the Gottwald family, the owners of Albermarie, one of the largest manufacturer’s of methyl bromide, donated $345,000 to Bush and the Republican party between 2000 and 2006. Agribusiness’s gave $2.7 Million to the Bush campaign in 2000.The Associated Press quoted a spokesperson for the Environmental Investigation Agency "It is extremely disappointing that now that the U.S. has finally confirmed it’s enormous stockpile, it continues to fight tooth and nail to get special treatment in the world to use a gas that will cause increased skin cancer and a host of other environmental effects." The Bush administration contends that the stockpiles existed before the 2005 ban and are not subject to the treaty. Dr. Joe Farman, the Cambridge scientist who discovered the Antactic ozone hole said: "This is madness. We do not need this chemical. We do need the ozone layer. How stupid can people be?"

In the meantime, scientists report the hole has increased to a record size and continues to get bigger.

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