“… a triumph for global cooperation”: Ozone hole will heal, say scientists. “The hole in the Southern Hemisphere’s ozone layer will start
shrinking within a decade and should close completely in the next
50 years, according to an international panel.

Data unveiled at a conference in Argentina suggest that the global
effort to reduce the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)— the
main menace to the ozone layer — is succeeding, just three
months after Nasa revealed that the size of the ozone hole in the
Southern Hemisphere had grown to 11 million square miles and
had reached the tip of South America for the first time.” The good news is attriutable to global cooperation in reducing chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) use since a 1987 worldwide protocol was signed in Montreal. Global warming, however, will slow ozone recovery. The Times of London

“Extending hope where perhaps there should be none…” An idiot’s guide to writing? “To the cynical, reading writing about how to write may seem like chasing one’s own tail, but
to others these magazines have become the holders of Masonry secrets, month by month
decanting the distilled essence of the craft.” National Post

Clinton Creates Vast Hawaiian Coral-Reef Preserve President Clinton continues his trend of using executive order to protect large tracts of land in one fell swoop, this time creating a “Yellowstone of
the sea” protecting an expanse of Hawaii’s pristine
coral reefs larger than the states of Florida and Georgia.

“The order would establish the Northwest Hawaiian Islands Coral
Reef Ecosystem Reserve covering 131,000 square miles along a
1,200 mile-long island chain northwest of the main Hawaiian
islands. The reserve would encompass about 70 percent of U.S.
coral reefs.

The area is the only home to the endangered Hawaiian monk
seal. It provides habitat to other protected species including sea
turtles and birds, and to migratory species such as humpback
whales.” Reuters

Swallowing ships. Giant bubbles of methane gas from the sea floor may suddenly engulf and sink ships at sea. Investigation reveals this may have been the fate of a trawler that disappeared in the North Sea, recently found intact and shrouded in fishing netting on the sea floor. New Scientist

We knew that cell phones may be hazardous to your health, but this is ridiculous. New Scientist