Ozone depletion causes global warming - Essay Example

? Ozone Depletion Causes Global Warming Ozone layer is the “blanket” that is considered essential for the survivalof all living things on earth. Its depletion results to global warming. Global warming later on leads to climate change. Having an increase in temperature around the world give stresses to the nature and later on affect the well-being of living things. Survival is at stake once the existing problems were not to be dealt with seriously. Thorough understanding is needed before necessary actions can be done. In line with that, it would help in the discussion if the ozone layer and global warming are both defined. Ozone is made up of three atoms of oxygen which is poisonous when people inhale it especially at high concentration. It is unlike the air human beings need which is made up of two atoms of oxygen. People may get sick especially the disease called asthma when ozone is formed near the surface of the earth. It is very useful once it is formed in the atmosphere because it serves as a blanket of protection from solar radiation. Ozone layer is considered as a sub-layer in the atmosphere which has an altitude of 10 to 35 kilometers. The mechanism on how the ozone is formed is by the exposure of oxygen in the atmosphere to the ultraviolet rays from the sun and as ozone is formed, the harmful UV radiation is absorbed. High concentration of ozone in the atmosphere is very much needed by the earth because the higher the concentration of zone, the less UV radiation can reach the surface of the earth. Once ozone is not able to do its job, people are then exposed to higher concentration of UV radiation that may cause sunburn, skin cancers and eye cataracts as more UV rays can penetrate the atmosphere (Shanklin 84). It is noteworthy to remember that ozone layer is a very important component of the atmosphere and the big protector of people and other organisms against the direct exposure to the harmful radiation from the sun. A more detailed explanation regarding the ozone layer would be better in explaining the importance of its existence. Further discussion is about the exact location of ozone layer and the problems it faces as it is being depleted. Ozone layer is a sub-layer of the stratosphere and located at about 15 kilometres above sea level. Even though the ozone present in the atmosphere is not as abundant as oxygen and nitrogen, it is still very important due to its ability to absorb the radiation. A study was made by Crutzen in 1970 about the nitrogen oxides produced from the decay of nitrous oxide through the soil microbial activities. The study showed how nitrogen oxides react quickly with ozone that allowed the concentration reduction of available ozone. The study opened the grounds on further research regarding "global biogeo-chemical cycles" and the nitrogen oxides coming from the airplanes as they travel on the stratosphere (Lipkin 262). Harmful radiation increases as ozone layer is being reduced. The depletion may have both advantages and disadvantages to living things especially to human beings. In the past 60 years, awareness became more prevalent towards the consequences of exposure to radiation. Recent studies proved that the eye and the skin are the two of the body organs that are most prawn to damages and diseases due to UV radiation. Cataract is the usual effect of UV radiation to the eyes while skin cancer is the common result on skin (Norval et. al. 199). The other concept that must be talked about is global warming. The increase in the average surface temperature of the earth is said to be global warming. It happens because of the greenhouse effect that increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and other gases like water vapor, methane, chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere that cover the surface of the earth and prevents the UV radiation to escape to the outer space. The radiation increases the heat on the surface of the earth that leads to the global increase in temperature. Human activities contribute to the global warming by increasing the concentration of the green house gases. Based on previous data gathered, climate models were able to predict that surface temperature of the earth increases by 1.1-6.4oC within the year 1990 and 2100. If regulation of the concentration of the greenhouse gases had been done, the surface temperature would have been 30oC lower at least (Rajeshwari 337). Green house gasses greatly affect the temperature of the earth that leads to global warming. According to experts, manmade carbon dioxide emission is the primary reason for the temperature increase. Other scientists say that it is just a normal phenomenon despite the present temperature increase being beyond the normal threshold. Past studies were not able to identify any alarming carbon dioxide levels that may have any effects on the global temperature even though chlorofluorocarbons was identified to be the major cause of the present global warming (Ashworth 23). Global warming is also related to climate change since the weather and climate all over the world are altered by the global temperature increase. Climate change may affect the UV penetration through clouds and aerosols. Climate change has the ability to increase the negative effect of ozone depletion. Animal studies proved that the effect of UV radiation on skin cancer is higher at elevated temperature than the normal temperature. Such studies showed how climate change can increase the negative results by increasing the global temperature (Thong and Maibac 522). Various industries popularized the use of certain compounds that can worsen the environment by adding to the negative effects of global warming by depleting the available ozone in the atmosphere. Big businesses heavily built by billion dollar global investments are the primary cause of global warming. It would be difficult to ban the harmful substances. CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons in particular harm the gas that should have been protecting the organisms from harmful UV radiation (Benedick 41). The reappearance of sunlight in Antartica after a long winter shows the existence of an ozone hole. Probably the increase in bromine and chlorine compounds found in the stratosphere destroys the ozone layer. The ozone destruction started in the 1970s until the present time. It was in the year 1985 when people became aware of the possible danger that accompanies the ozone hole when the British Antarctic Survey released a paper about the existence of the hole in the ozone layer. The awareness led to the removal of harmful compounds to the ozone in the market (Schiermeier 792). Later studies were conducted in the Antarctic region the scientists measured the temperature. The temperature change proved the difference between the hastened temperature increase of that place and the little temperature reduction that occurred within the continent in the past years. The circumpolar westerlies gained strength as a reaction to stratospheric change in the ozone layer (Steig et. al. 459). The temperature change is affected by global warming that may be rooted from the thinning ozone layer due to CFCs and other substances that may have accumulated in the atmosphere. Ozone hole is becoming bigger than before and in response to it, scientists are looking for ways on how to fix it permanently. Worrying is not an option since according to the World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Environment Programme, ozone layer will fix itself to go back to its former undamaged state like its status before 1970 and it will happen on 2050. It is important to take note that habits and lifestyle must be changed to ensure the recovery of the ozone hole. Montreal Protocol must also be strictly observed to ban ozone-destructing chemicals in 165 countries. The protocol might hurt the business but it is done to save the environment and mankind (Levy 22). Change may not be easy, but it seems that it should be done for the survival of the organisms on earth. The healing of the ozone hole should not be left to the nature alone. People have own minds to use to make solutions and changes for the betterment of the nature. With the interaction of the concepts of ozone depletion, global warming and climate change, it can be said that the big solution to the global problems presented is simply lifestyle change. Each individual should have a change in perspective regarding the environment. People must take care of the environment since human activities greatly hasten the global problems presented. One may start from banning harmful substances to the ozone layer to allow the “healing” of the ozone hole. It is proven by studies that one of the major harmful substances is chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs as it cooled the upper atmosphere and warmed the lower atmosphere and the surface of the earth as proven by the following: from 1966 to 1998, the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere cooled down by 1.37oC due to CFCs as it destroyed the ozone; 1.71 x 1018 Btu was the energy absorbed in the same region as the first one which happened more in 1966 as compared to the energy absorbed in 1998; harmful radiation from the sun was able to warm the surface of the earth by 0.48oC within 1966 to 1988 due to ozone depletion; the ozone depletion had created a hole in the polar regions that led to a temperature increase of about two and one-half times the average earth temperature and methane is released; the temperature anomaly in Antarctica was probably linked to the ozone hole since the occurrence took place at the same time (Ashworth 23). With the following data proving how destructive CFCs is to the ozone that later on gives way to global warming and climate change, people must be eager to ban the harmful chemicals like CFCs. Certain measures and cooperation done politically were conducted to reduce the harmful impact to the ozone layer. Even if rules and policies are laid down, they will not be effective if people will not support their existence. Montreal Protocol is one of the policies that should be supported by people greatly as perhaps the protocol would not be a quick fix solution. Researchers found out that the ozone loss would not be replenished quickly since the chemicals need some time before they reach the atmosphere. Also the stock CFCs in the stratosphere must reach the peak first before declining. The CFCs on the surface of the earth will reach the stratosphere within fifty years. The protocol alone is really not enough to combat the harmful effects that had already been inflicted on the ozone layer. As the law and politics also affects the passing of bills about the actions to take toward the harmful chemicals, the “healing” of the ozone layer would be prolonged. As the delay on saving the ozone layer happens, the ozone hole continues to widen itself until the year 2020 (Levy 22). Despite the slow “healing” of the ozone layer, Montreal provisions is still a success since it banned CFCs which are stronger greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide. The harmful compounds were banned and the ozone agreement was able to gain five to six times greater reductions in warming effect than another protocol called Kyoto Protocol. It also allowed the lawmakers to believe that their actions can really help save the environment (Schiermeier 793). Certain efforts were done but the basic ideology that is prevalent in the society has not really changed. Humans are accustomed to change the natural processes. Since people are prawn to errors once concepts are taken into actions, normal processes turn into abnormal occurrences that greatly hurt Mother Nature. However, destructive results from rampant activities do not surface until certain levels of damage are achieved. Governments around the world are very much concerned in solving the “great crisis” for the betterment of the humanity which is the economic crisis. They stimulate the same consumption that in reality increases the disasters around the world and they base their actions from the past. If the earth can still support the biotic components, it only means that consumerism has not yet approached its satisfaction. In the existing belief where destructions are hidden, development is synonymous with consumerism and growth is the same as fattening. The existence of catastrophes is considered a positive change. The thing being considered as success has been so great that there is no world system that is not affected with its reproduction and multiplication (Majfud 87). Consumerism is the dominant mindset that aggravates the environment through increase in human activities. Aside from the CFCs, other substance that is used in human activities is methyl bromide that is particularly useful in agriculture as a pest control. Despite the provisions of the ozone-protection treaties, developed countries supposedly stopped the use of such pest control by 2005 while 10 years later third world nations follow (Schiermeier 793). Perhaps capitalism and the prevailing economic system may have the notions that drive the culture of people to produce more and increase wastes that may also harm the environment. As new products are made, byproducts are also created and may harm the environment. Some commercial products are even harmful to the ozone layer like CFCs, bromine and chlorine. Some substances may have been used in limited scales but the unwanted effects accumulate that may destroy the ozone or contribute to global warming directly. The effects were really tremendous if lifestyle change and a societal change in practices were not to improve since the increased penetration of UV radiation had many detrimental effects to the earth especially to the biotic components. The first focus is on the detrimental effects of the radiation on the skin. Acute effects and chronic effects are the results on the skin after much exposure to radiation. Acute sunburn is known as erythema and it is the damage from over-exposure to harmful UV rays. The subpapillary venules are dilated by the too much exposure to radiation that results to higher concentration of blood on the skin that makes it color red. Blisters and pain are also part of erythema. Talking about the kinds of radiation that human beings expose themselves are UVA and UVB radiation. Also melanin pigmentation, tanning and cancer may come out as part of the chronic results of overexposure to the sun and the cases grow because of the ozone depletion (Grover 337-338). In response to the growing eye and skin diseases due to the increasing incidents from the overexposure to radiation, some common methods for UV protection can be used as preventive measures like seeking shade when the sun is up, wearing clothes that can cover much of the skin wearing sunglasses for eye protection, and using sunscreens for preventing direct skin damage from the sun. Some methods have certain degrees of potential to give additional protection like ointments that fix UV-induced DNA damage, and some formulated substances that may be applied on the skin or ingested with food (Norval et. al. 199). The preventive measures may somehow compensate as protection against the UV radiation since the ozone layer is not yet fully fixed. Preventive measures must not be taken for granted since they may not be enough to prevent possible skin and eye diseases from occurring due to the radiation. Despite of the negative effects of radiation from the sun, there is still a major advantage when people expose themselves to the sun. Vitamin D production happens due to exposure to UVB radiation. Vitamin D is required in bone metabolism and also responsible for boosting the immune system. Some studies have already gotten some results that may point out the importance of Vitamin D in protecting the body from certain kinds of internal cancer but the studies have not yet concluded regarding the matter. In terms of protection against autoimmune disorders, vitamin D has the most protection to offer against multiple sclerosis. Further studies have been started regarding the vitamin D is protection against various infectious and coronary ailments (Norval et. al. 199).   Indirect effects of the ozone depletion can be seen on infectious diseases since as more radiation from the sun can penetrate the surface of the earth, the more aggravated the global warming is. As the warming increases, climate change occurs. As the climate differs from one place to another, infectious diseases may become rampant because the vectors usually insects are accustomed to certain environmental conditions. Climate affects the infectious diseases by helping in the outbreak of infectious diseases through transferring the location favorable to the insect vectors, increasing the time for reproduction of insects and reducing the incubation time of pathogens. Certain investigations proved that an increase in temperature of about 3°C in the USA could elevate the population of dengue and yellow fever carriers (mosquitoes). Some bacteria like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus affect humans more easily in warmer climates. Some speculations go around regarding the tropical parasitic diseases to be occurring more frequently in Europe and North America due to migration (Grover 338). It shows that even one environmental problem may lead to another and give indirect impacts. It would be good if the impacts were not harmful, but having diseases that becoming increasingly dangerous and more cases were reported mean that the environment is not in good shape. If the cure for the diseases is to be implemented, it would just fix it short term because the vector insects and the microbes would still reproduce very fast because of the environmental change. The solution is to help the ozone hole to heal and reduce the activities that increase the green house gases. Once the radiation cannot penetrate much to the surface of the earth and the penetrating radiation and heat can escape easier to the outside of the earth, global warming will later on slowly reduce and the temperature may go back to its normal level. Climate change may slow down and for the years to come the climate may go back to its proper climate to geographic distribution. The sum total of the effects of ozone depletion, global warming and climate change are not good in all perspective since harm and danger are increasing because of their existence. Skin and eye diseases are not the only danger from ozone depletion. Green house gases and other chemicals once used and accumulated in the environment more than the normal levels would bring diseases because of their toxicity and all organisms would be affected. The danger may even harm the living indirectly like the UV radiation may penetrate the surface more easily due to the ozone hole that may later on warm the surface and climate change would occur. The climate may favor the breeding of the disease carriers and ailments would be prevalent even in the geographical locations where they should not have been rampant. With all of the arguments presented, it can be concluded that the global warming is affected by ozone depletion because the temperature at the surface increases as more UV rays penetrate the atmosphere, reach the surface and hard to escape. Carbon dioxide also affects global warming since the trapped UV radiation cannot escape easily. Carbon dioxide prevents the UV radiation from escaping the earth. It would also be important to take note of the existence of climate change as it may affect the global warming and the harmful effects of the radiation. Also carbon dioxide is not the only gas that causes greenhouse effect that leads to global warming but also water vapour, nitrous oxide, and methane. References Ashworth, Robert. “Ozone Destruction Major Cause of Warming!— Part 1.” Hydrocarbon Processing (2009): 23. Benedick, Richard Elliot. “Lessons from ‘the Ozone Hole’.” EPA Journal 16.2 (1990): 41. Grover S, Rajeshwari. “Global Warming and Its Impact on Skin Disorders.” Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 75. 4.1 (2009): 337-339. Levy, Elizabeth. “No More Ozone Hole?” E Magazine (1999): 21-22. Lipkin, R. “Ozone Depletion Research Wins Nobel.” Science News 148.17 (1995): 262-263. Majfud, Jorge. “The Pandemic of Consumerism.” UN Chronicle 46.1 (2009): 87. Norval, M., R. Lucas, A. Cullen, F. De Gruijl, J. Longstreth, Y. Takizawa and J. 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