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save energy and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Together, we
continue to look for alternatives and technologies that are as ozone- and
climate-friendly as possible.

This report covers the important and substantial achievements of the people,
programs, and organizations that are working to protect the Earth's ozone

layer . As impressive as these accomplishments are, our work is not done.
Even though we have reduced or eliminated the use of many ozone-
depleting substances, some still remain. Additionally, since ozone-depleting
substances persist in the air for long periods of time, the past use of these
substances continues to affect the ozone layer today. We must also continue
to ensure that the alternatives being brought to the market support the
country's long-term environmental goals in a cost-effective manner.

Global Ozone Depletion and Recovery

The ozone layer has not grown thinner since 1998 over most of the world,
and it appears to be recovering because of reduced emissions of ozone-
depleting substances. Antarctic ozone is projected to return to pre-1980
levels by 2060 to 2075.

Through the Montreal Protocol (the 1987 International Treaty on CFCs),
we’ve begun to deal with Ozone Depletion. By the time you read this
newsletter, a decision will have been made by President Bush as to whether
and to what extent the U. S. will deal with the problem of global Warming.
One of the goals of the UN Conference of Environment and Economics which
took place in early June in Rio De Janero was the signing of an international
treaty on Global Warming. By mid May Bush has agreed to sign a greatly
weakened Global Warming Bill, one with no timetable or teeth.

He is fearful that the requirements to cut back CO2 emissions to 1990 levels
would cost too much at a time when the U. S. economy is shaky at best. It’s
a commentary on the state of public discourse in the U. S. that while our
President is scaring people with talk of what it will cost to pull in the reins on
Global Warming, very few people are taking about what it will cost not to
deal with this problem. (More on this later.)

In his book, Earth in the Balance, Al Gore suggests another analogy: that
Global Warming is a planetary fever, an alarm, a symptom which, if heeded
in time may ultimately save the patient/planet; if unheeded, it may destroy
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