BS: Ozone Layer

Subject: BS: Ozone Layer Depletion
From: jimlad9
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 04:39 AM

We hear so much about the depletion of the Ozone Layer being caused by flatulent cattle.
Now this poses the following question.


For Thousands and probably Millions of years we have had vast herds of Wildebeests,Oxen,Bison,Deer and many other types of herbivores roaming the planet.

Now did they not fart ?.

Subject: RE: BS: Ozone Layer
From: Wolfgang
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 07:49 AM

No, they did fart as well, but their number per square mile was much lower due to predators roaming as well.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Ozone Layer
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 07:55 AM

And natural herds didn't have slurry pits, which are the worst emitters of ozone depleters in this context.

Subject: RE: BS: Ozone Layer
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 10:22 AM

May we quibble?

Depletion of the ozone layer is almost entirely due to Freon® and other fluorocarbons from refrigeration, propellants in aerosol sprays, and a few other sources. Replacement materials have been found/created that are much less damaging.

Yak farts, etc., are not contributors.

Since the voluntary termination of manufacture, by the main manufacturer, of the fluorocarbons that contributed, and rather stringent prohibitions on their use, the ozone layer appears to have been stabilized at it's current state of damage, and it's hoped that it has begun to recover. There are some remaining sources of damaging chemicals, including some fluorocarbons and a few other kinds of chemicals, so recovery is not guaranteed; but indications permit optimisim.

The ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, protecting us from excessive exposure. Excessive exposure to UV produces cancer in humans and animals, and is suspected of causing increase in mutations in plant and animal species (most of which are unfavorable and die out quickly i.e. are effectively "cancers.") The bottom line is "it ain't healthy to go outdoors" where there's a higher level of incoming UV radiation.

The hyrocarbons from animal flatulence, plant decay, and other natural sources have been with us virtually forever, and do affect the extent of the greenhouse effect. Hydrocarbon gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation (IR) and primarily affect the balance between heat received from the sun and heat radiated back to space. An increase in "greenhouse gases" in the atmosphere results in an increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere, since the IR wavelength radiation that would otherwise pass through is absorbed by the hydrocarbons floating around in it.

The enormous volume of greenhouse gases produced by animal metabolic processes has been balanced by the enormous "sink" consisting of vegetation that absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. The balance between the two has been upset by the addition of large amounts of greenhouse gas release, from burning of fossile fuels (mainly petroleum and coal) accompanied by the massive destruction of vegetation that could partially abosorb it and maintain the balance.

The bottom line is that the balance of nature is being upset by "too many people." That the too many are also greedy and careless is a side effect.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Ozone Layer
From: jimlad9
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 12:35 PM

BUGGER OFF,JOHN. IT WAS MEANT TO BE A JOKE

Subject: RE: BS: Ozone Layer
From: Cluin
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 01:13 PM

...yelled in the true spirit of humour.

Subject: RE: BS: Ozone Layer
From: Slag
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 01:18 PM

phlblblblbbllblblblblbT!

Subject: RE: BS: Ozone Layer
From: jimlad9
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 01:56 PM

Hey Slag

You could go into show business as a Cow-fart impersonator.

Subject: RE: BS: Ozone Layer
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 04:49 PM

some jokes don't translate well in print. Takes lots of extra letters to indicate irony, sarcasm and tweaking.