Scientists have resuscitated the Ozone layer as the new cause to become alarmed. The Great Barrier Reef has breathed a sigh of relief and wishes to thank the scientific community for the holiday.
Australia's Black Summer bushfires were catastrophic enough. Now scientists say they caused a 'deep, long-lived' hole in the ozone layer
UK researchers have revealed Australia's Black Summer bushfires likely damaged the ozone layer and caused the highest temperatures in the stratosphere in 30 years.
The fires scorched more than 24 million hectares, killed 33 people directly, and almost 450 more lost their lives from the effects of smoke inhalation.
A study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports revealed the temperature in the stratosphere rose by 0.7 degrees Celsius. Above Australia, it rose by 3C.The study's co-author, atmospheric science professor Jim Haywood, said the findings were statistically significant and worrying.
"The implications might be quite alarming, because the future climate is predicted to get warmer and drier and we're expecting higher frequencies of wildfires and we're also expecting them to be at greater intensity," he said.
