It seems we have accustomed to the idea that the XXI century. will take place under the sign of global environmental changes in a negative sense. But nature is full of paradoxes, and sometimes one problem helps deter another.

Lying far from the centers of human activity, Antarctica was the scene of the collision of two dangerous phenomena: the melting of ice and ozone layer of the atmosphere.

Given that much of the land is not much higher (and there are lots and below) the level of the oceans, is not difficult to imagine that he expects many of the coastal regions and island territories in the case of rapid melting of polar glaciers. And the greatest danger in this case it comes from Antarctica, as well as on this continent is concentrated up to 90% of the world's ice.

According to experts an authoritative Scientific Committee Antarctic Research (SCAR), the event really would go on the most pessimistic scenario, if not formed over the Antarctic ozone hole is large. According to many scholars, passing the dangerous ultraviolet radiation, the gap at the same time weakens the impact of greenhouse gases. Thus, the effects of global warming at the South Pole felt little that remains from the melting of continental ice and, consequently, prevents the increase in sea level.

It would seem that the location of the ozone hole is very well, and there is no reason to change the established alignment. However, this location is very unstable. Hole periodically changes its shape and size, and no one can guarantee that after a while it grows in one direction or another, not had moved to another region, or, finally, will not disappear altogether. For the latter assumption is well-founded, since 1987 in order to avoid destruction of the ozone layer are making major steps.

It must be noted that the issue of Antarctica, the world community turned out in a stalemate, when the proposed measures can only cope with one problem. And given that the alternative to large-scale flood - killing ultraviolet radiation, it may happen that, having avoided a catastrophe, humanity land in another.