Mention has been made above about the difference between the problems of "the ozone hole" and "global warming." They are, in fact, two disparate problems. The ozone hole appears to be "recovering" although still bears watching.

A "biographical essay" on the principal scientist who first discovered the accepted mechanism for, accurately documented, and produced accurate simulation programs for the ozone hole, Susan Solomon, appears in the February 2007 issue of Smithsonian Magazine. Look (later) for "Ahead in the Clouds."

The January issue is still up as the "current" one at the website, but this article is interesting, low-tech, and may clear up some of the confusion between the two issues for those who need a "consumer friendly" explanation. You'll likely enjoy looking at the January issue if you want to test the link; and it should be the same link for the February issue as soon as it's posted: http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/.

Susan Solomon is also co-chair for the pending NATO report on global warming. A "summary article" was to be released this week, with the complete report in four parts (1,600 pages estimated) over the next few months. This report claims direct participation by over 500 scientists and review (and presumed concurrence) by governments of around 150 countries. It's difficult to see how it could not represent a majority opinion but of course we'll have to look it up and see.

(Some additional blather about the NATO report was also posted at the "What do Scientist Think About" thread - if I remember where I was that day.)

Sorry to post a link you have to wait for, but "informed and curious" people should have the mag bookmarked anyway (IMnsHO).

John