What is Ozone Depletion?

What causes Ozone Depletion?

What are the effects of Ozone Depletion?

What can we do?

Definition:

Ozone depletion is a phenomenon where the layer(s) of ozone gas that protects the Earth’s surface from harmful ultra-violet rays are being diminished and destroyed because of an over-abundance of ozone destroying catalysts such as chlorofluorocarbons. These catalysts, more often than not, come from unnatural sources, specifically human industrial activity.

Causes:

Ozone is destroyed by free radical catalysts like hydroxyl radical (OH.), Nitric Oxide radical (NO.), Chlorine Atom (Cl.) and Bromine Atom (Br.). Although all these have both natural and man-made sources, human activity has dramatically increased their levels, specifically those of chlorine and bromine. Making rapid ozone depletion the fault of humans.

Effects:

Ozone gas in the ozone layer is responsible for absorbing the harmful shortwave ultra-violet radiation of the sun. Its depletion could mean:

Serious Harm to Human and Animal Health

Both humans and animals can develop skin and eye diseases as well as suffer weakening of their immune systems due to overexposure to uv radiation

Serious negative effects on natural ecosystems

Serious effects on the food chain

Human agriculture is adversely affected

Adverse effects on plankton levels (first step in the marine food chain) and as a consequence on marine life.

Material degradation

Materials such as wood, plastic, rubber, fabric, and many more are degraded by UV radiation. The cost of replacing and/or protecting them is significant.

What Can We Do:

As individuals:

Educate ourselves about the Ozone layer and ozone depletion

We should stop using equipment, such as old refrigerators and old air conditioning units, that make use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Do not buy or use portable fire extinguishers that contain halons.

As a country:

Regulate or outright ban Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) such as CFCS and Halons

Increase awareness of Ozone Depletion

Fund ozone depletion research initiatives