David Tarasick
David Tarasick is a senior Environment Canada scientist who contributed to an international study that detected a record-breaking ozone hole above the Arctic region, in 2011. He demonstrated how important the research through atmospheric monitoring networks through his new discovery. He had been doing research on the topic for 45 years previously.
The computer models he worked with said that ozone layer could take 10 to 40 years to recover from depletion caused by substances released prior to the Montreal protocol. Tarasick said that if the countries had not agreed to the protocol, the ozone hole(s) would be permanent and would cause major issues regarding human health.
Tarasick's study also discussed some uncertainties in existing models about global warming in the Arctic. He also noted other research that shows how the increasing concentration of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere is trapping heat in the lower part, and resulting in cooling temperatures in the upper atmosphere, which can contribute to ozone depletion. Measurements showed that the hole over the Arctic resulted in somewhat lower ozone over most Canadians, and UV levels about three to five per cent higher than what would be expected if there had not been a hole.
Tarasick succeeded in bring attention to his field of study. There had been an 80% decrease in media coverage of climate change science which did not help with raising awareness about the issue of ozone depletion. He continues to perform research on ozone data, helping keep track of the recovery progress of the ozone layer.
David Tarasick is a senior Environment Canada scientist who contributed to an international study that detected a record-breaking ozone hole above the Arctic region, in 2011. He demonstrated how important the research through atmospheric monitoring networks through his new discovery. He had been doing research on the topic for 45 years previously.
The computer models he worked with said that ozone layer could take 10 to 40 years to recover from depletion caused by substances released prior to the Montreal protocol. Tarasick said that if the countries had not agreed to the protocol, the ozone hole(s) would be permanent and would cause major issues regarding human health.
Tarasick's study also discussed some uncertainties in existing models about global warming in the Arctic. He also noted other research that shows how the increasing concentration of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere is trapping heat in the lower part, and resulting in cooling temperatures in the upper atmosphere, which can contribute to ozone depletion. Measurements showed that the hole over the Arctic resulted in somewhat lower ozone over most Canadians, and UV levels about three to five per cent higher than what would be expected if there had not been a hole.
Tarasick succeeded in bring attention to his field of study. There had been an 80% decrease in media coverage of climate change science which did not help with raising awareness about the issue of ozone depletion. He continues to perform research on ozone data, helping keep track of the recovery progress of the ozone layer.