Ozone conference wants change in forest practices

May 18, 1994
Issue 

Ozone conference wants change in forest practices

A major conference of scientists and environmentalists meeting at the University of Victoria in Canada April 27-29 has called for the re-evaluation of current forest practices in light of damage to the forest from radiation due to ozone depletion.

Seedlings and new growth are particularly vulnerable in the early spring, when radiation levels are now unusually strong. The conference also noted the risk of damage to worms, salamanders, frogs and other organisms that create soil and nutrients for trees.

Experts from across the world met to present the latest scientific research on the impacts of ozone depletion on human health, fish and algae, animals and plants at the International Conference on Ozone Depletion and Ultraviolet Radiation: Preparing for the Impacts.

The participants were united in calling for an emergency warning program to alert the public to peak UV incidents such as that which occurred in the spring of 1993, when many Canadians required medical treatment for severe sunburn.

Public pressure is necessary so North American manufacturers allow consumers the choice of ozone friendly refrigerators such as the "Greenfreeze", which China has announced it will make available to its population. The technology used in the Greenfreeze has the largest market share of new European refrigerators, yet cannot be purchased in North America.

The resolution on forest practices, which passed by an overwhelming majority, stated: "Current forest management in the temperate rainforests, which already risks compromise of the integrity of these ecosystems, must be re-evaluated in the light of the many factors already changed by management practices, the projected large increases in early growing season UV-B, and the risks that radiation presents to decomposer processes, species, and the growth of young seedlings".

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