Ozone and the climate: the depleting truth - Essay Example

?Ozone and the climate: the depleting truth The world was created so perfectly that everything around the revolving earth serves a specific purpose. Everything in it is interconnected to each other to preserve the balancing act of nature which is essential for the very existence of every organism in the planet. One amazing fact that the world is in fact into protecting itself against the verge of harm and extinction is through the presence of a vast protecting system. One form of this protecting system is the ozone layer. Many people know of the ozone layer and the important role it bears in protecting the world and its inhabitants but very few of those people know the depleting truth about it brought about by the evolution of mankind. This study will unveil the amazing truth about the ozone layer and the gloomy situation it is currently faced today and its impact on earth’s climate and the implications brought by this climate change to the whole living population. What is ozone layer? The ozone layer forms a thin shield in the stratosphere, approximately 20 to 40 km above the earth’s surface that protects life below from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (Anderson et al, p. 23). Other definitions describe ozone layer similar to an umbrella as a deep layer encircling the earth that shields it from the different UV waves brought about by the sun (“What is the ozone layer,” 2010). The ozone absorbs lower wavelengths known as the UV-C waves completely and allows only a small fraction of another wavelength type, the middle wavelength known as the UV-B, the UV ray that is more harmful to humans and other life forms on earth (Anderson et al, 2007, p. 23). (Source: http://www.weatherquestions.com/What_is_the_ozone_layer.htm) Figure 1. The ozone layer Ozone is a natural gas that is found in two different layers of the atmosphere. One layer, called the troposphere, is at the Earth's surface where we live. The other layer, called the stratosphere, is miles above the Earth's surface and is deemed as the good ozone because of its protective property to block some of the sun's harmful UV rays. Stratospheric ozone is found most often between six and thirty miles above the Earth's surface (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2009). Furthermore, ozone is a special form of oxygen, made up of three oxygen atoms rather than the usual two oxygen atoms. It usually forms when electrical discharge separates the two atoms in an oxygen molecule- chemical composition of O2, which can then individually recombine with other oxygen molecules to form the ozone – with the chemical composition of O3 (“What is the ozone layer,” 2010). This molecular bond that forms the ozone is the protective bond like a massive sun block applied above the surface of the earth that naturally keeps its inhabitants from literally being sun burnt. Ozone depletion: A Global Issue (Source: Environment Canada, http://www.ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=En&n=9E705000-1) Figure 2. Ozone depletion Over the years, man evolved into finding never ending innovations and technology as results of modernization. Modernization has brought many changes not just for man alone but eventually changed the face of the earth leading it away from its natural way. Some even viewed modernization as an end to nature. The ozone as part of the natural habitat is of no exception. Depletion of the ozone’s protective layer can now be felt globally. What contributions of man caused this destructive process and what can be done to alter these effects? The ozone layer became more widely appreciated by the public decades ago when it was realized that certain chemicals artificially made by mankind as an advancement in technology go up into the stratosphere and undergo a complex series of chemical reactions that destroy some of the ozone (“What is Ozone Layer”). All these manufactured chemicals released into the air by human chemical activities are transported by the wind into the stratosphere which are broken down by the sun’s Ultra Violet-B rays, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms that eventually destroy the ozone’s protective layer (Anderson et al, 2007, p. 23). The start of the ozone destruction can be attributed to the year 1928 when Thomas Midgley invented chlorofluorocarbon. CFCs are non-flammable and non-toxic compounds to replace hazardous material such as sulfur dioxide and ammonia that are being used during that time in home refrigerators. CFCs and similar halocarbons are non-reactive long lasting materials that do not directly harm humans and so was regarded as a wonder chemical discovery due to its low cost and less hazardous character. Thus CFCs became a global hit and was used in many products like air conditioners, aerosol sprays, manufacturing plastics, extinguishing agents, as solvents for electronic components and in many other applications (Andersen et al, 2007, p 24). Due to the said applications, CFCs were made available everywhere around the globe. CFCs are very stable and do not dissolve in water, or in the natural counterpart the rain. Thus, there are no natural processes that remove the CFCs from the lower atmosphere. Over time, winds drive the CFCs into the stratosphere. The CFCs are so stable that only exposure to strong UV radiation breaks them down. When that happens, the CFC molecule releases the atomic chlorine. One chlorine atom is very destructive to the ozone because it can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules. Imagine about the billions of CFCs the world has produced over time since the time of its discovery in 1928 that has been piled up above the atmosphere of air people breathe in and patiently waiting to be broken down. The net effect is the destruction of the ozone faster than it is naturally created (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2009). One of the earliest signs of CFC overload in the atmosphere was through the invention of James Lovelock to measure extremely low organic gas in the atmosphere and reports that wherever and whenever samples are attained from different places, CFC gas is always present (Andersen et al, 2007, p 24). This is a clear proof of the world-wide invasion of CFCs in the atmosphere making it a global incidence and a global issue. Ozone depletion and climate change According to Fergusson the human activities that contribute to climate change and ozone depletion affect the same atmosphere. Because the atmosphere is a very complex entity, changes to one aspect can often initiate changes that affect other aspects of the atmospheric system (Fergusson, 2001, p. 3). Based on this, it can be concluded that depletion in the ozone layer which is in the stratospheric layer affects directly and indirectly the troposphere where most weather activity takes places, thus any change in the troposphere layer activity will affect the weather activity (Fergusson, 2001, p. 1). Climate change as viewed in the study of Hartman et al (2000, p. 1412) explains that the atmosphere displays modes of variability which exhibit a strong longitudinally symmetric component that extends from the surface to the stratosphere in middle and high latitudes of both hemispheres. According to Hartmann et al (2000, p. 1412), in the past 30 years, these modes have exhibited trends that seem larger than their natural background variability, and may be related to human influences on stratospheric ozone and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. The pattern of climate trends during the past few decades is marked by rapid cooling and ozone depletion in the polar lower stratosphere of both hemispheres (Hartmann et al, 2000, p. 1412). (Source: http://www.ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=En&n=9E705000-1). Figure 3. Natural greenhouse gases in our atmosphere act like the glass of a greenhouse to trap the sun's heat and keep the Earth warm. Unfortunately, massive increase of these greenhouse gases from human activities add to this naturally occurring greenhouse effect and trap more heat needed in the atmosphere which causes the Earth to "heat up" that have serious impacts Fergusson similarly discussed the effect of ozone depletion to climate changes due to greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide that retains the heat near the earth’s surface (2001, p. 3). According to Fergusson, the concentrations of these gases began to rise in the 19th century- this can be attributed to the discovery of the CFC- and have increased exponentially in the 20th- this is the result of the propagated use of the CFCs since its discovery, paralleling the expansion of industrial economies and the growth of the human population. Over the past century the average global temperature has increased by about 0.6?C, and significantly greater increases are expected for the 21st century. Warming of the atmosphere is also expected to cause changes in other aspects of climate, including changes in precipitation and evaporation, circulation patterns, and weather extremes (Fergusson, 2001, p. 3). Effects of depletion Since the discovery of the ozone depletion many studies have been made on its impact on man and living. According to one study ss ozone is depleted, increased transmission of these harmful UV rays endangers human health and environment by increasing skin cancer and cataracts, weakening human immune system, damaging crops and natural ecosystems. Furthermore, most ozone depleting substances are also greenhouse gases that contribute and cause climate change, sea level rise, intense storms and changes in precipitation and temperature of the earth (Anderson et al, 2007, p. 23). In a simpler context the effect of depletion can be simply described as removing the roof of a house allowing everything to come and pass within the house premises such as the sunlight, the rain, the wind, and in that case other pollutants. The depleting layer of the ozone only means decreasing level of protection from the harmful sunrays. The impacts of the ozone depletion can be felt in various aspects of living. Martens cited direct and indirect impacts of ozone depletion. Directly, an increase in summer and winter temperatures would mean a shift of thermal-related diseases and deaths. Increased frequency or severity of heat waves will also have a strong impact on these diseases. Moreover, extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and storms will occur more frequently which will result in increase rates of deaths, injury, infectious disease, and psychological disorders (Martens, 1998, p 241). On the contrary, Martens also cited that a major indirect impact of global climate change upon human health could occur through effects on cereal crop production (1998, p 241). According to Martens cereal grains account for about two-thirds of all food consumed by humans. This impact would occur through the effects of variations in temperature and moisture upon germination, growth, and photosynthesis, as well as indirect effects upon plant diseases, predator-pest relationships, and supplies of irrigation water. In such increasingly populous and often poor countries, any apparent decline in agricultural productivity during the next century could have significant public health consequences (Martens, 1998, p 241) that will arise from food shortage and famine. Martens further cited that the temperature and precipitation changes might also influence the behavior and geographic distribution of vectors and thus might further increase the incidence of vector-borne diseases, which are major causes of morbidity and mortality in most tropical countries. Increases in non-vector-borne infectious diseases, such as cholera, salmonellosis, and other food- and water-related infectious diseases could also occur, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, because of climatic impacts on water distribution, temperature, and the proliferation of microorganisms (Martens, 1998, p 242). Moreover, if a long-term increase of UV-B radiation due to stratospheric ozone depletion occurs, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer rates will increase. The incidence of various diseases of the eye, particularly pterygium and cataract, is also likely to increase. The effects of the UV-B radiation to immune are uncertain but according to Martens this could lead to increased vulnerability to infectious diseases. A potentially more important indirect effect of increased UV-B levels reaching the Earth could be the impairment of photosynthesis on land and in the sea, affecting food and sea crops which would reduce the world's food production (Martens, 1998, p 242). Further studies on the effects of ozone depletion in the health of mankind have been made and established. According to a study made by de Gruijl et al. (2003) the potential health effects of elevated levels of ambient UV-B radiation are diverse, and risks are difficult to quantify since it is modified by human behavior. Nevertheless in the same study, epidemiological and experimental researches are shown and have confirmed that UV radiation is a definite risk factor for certain types of cataract. Also the causal link between squamous cell carcinoma and cumulative solar UV exposure has been well established. New findings regarding the genetic basis of skin cancer, including studies on genetically modified mice, have confirmed the epidemiological evidence that UV radiation contributes to the formation of basal cell carcinomas and cutaneous melanomas. In addition, the study showed possibility that the immune response to vaccination could be depressed by UV-B exposure is of considerable concern. The study is open for newly emerging possibilities regarding interactions between ozone depletion and global climate change that can further complicate the risk assessments for human health and can have foreseeable result in an increased incidence of cataracts and skin cancer, plus alterations in the patterns of certain categories of infectious and other diseases (de Gruijl et al, 2003). The prevalence of this kind of studies that somehow shows similar or if not interrelated results have proved and established the ill effects of ozone depletion to earth and its inhabitants that if not taken care of can possibly cause eventual self destruction of the only planet man has taken for granted. Depleting Ozone Depletion Biblically speaking, man was created as the custodian of nature with an obligation to prioritize its preservation. In the advent of realization of the massive amount of CFCs in the atmosphere and its studied effect on the ozone layer and the eventual consequences of man’s discovery against himself, global trends were made to alter the massive destruction in the ozone and prevent further unwanted effects of such natural ruin. Awareness of the ozone depletion and its harmful consequence can be dated back in the year 1974 when Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina called for a ban on aerosol CFCs and wrote that if nothing was done to prevent further release of CFCs the vast reservoir of gases would provide enough chlorine atoms to ensure destruction of the ozone layer for much of the twenty first century (Andersen et al, 2007, p. 25). As a result of this discovery, an international treaty was signed in 1973 called the Montreal Protocol, and the manufacture of these chemicals was greatly reduced (“What is Ozone Layer”). After the realization of the harmful effects of ozone layer depletion and many diplomatic discussions arranged by the United Nations Environment Program, a protocol was agreed upon to reduce the consumption of ozone depleting substances signed by twenty four countries and the European Economic Community (Andersen et al, 2007, p. 29). This Montreal Protocol is one of a small number of international environmental agreements that have had rapid and concrete impacts on the actions of nations and other groups responsible for the quality of the environment (Le Preste et al, 1998, p. 2). This is a unique example of the international community coming together as one in giving ongoing attention to a problem that is not yet fully understood during that time but immediate actions and studies were made to establish the truth about ozone depletion and called for international action plan to stop the threat upon the only place man have, the earth. But to what extent was the Montreal Protocol successful in saving the ozone layer today since the time it was put up to control the damaged ozone since then. According to the European Commission website (2011), by 2010 the European Union has reduced its consumption of ozone depleting substances to zero, which is 10 years ahead of its obligation under the Montreal Protocol. Furthermore, controls was put on for any use of ozone depleting substances that are not considered as consumption under the Montreal Protocol, such as uses of ODS as feedstock in the chemical industry. In particular the European Union has banned the use of the toxic methyl bromide for any kind of fumigation (European Commission, 2011). The European Union legislation has not only been very effective in controlling ozone depleting substances but also acted as a driver for the development of innovative technologies such as substitutes for methyl bromide alternatives, new blowing agents for insulation foam, CFC-free metered dose inhalers for the treatment of asthma, and innovative fire fighting systems on board ships and airplanes which do not use halons (European Commission, 2011). These CFC banning measures have remarkably decreased the probable million uses of the CFCs that could have aggravated the ozone situation if not controlled. Ozone saving measures worldwide can be seen from the different countries’ proposal to phase out the use of CFCs, its derivatives and other Ozone depleting substances. An example of this worldwide initiative is the recent United States, Canada, and Mexico’s joint submission of their latest proposal to phase-down consumption and production of hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on May 9, 2011. Global benefits of the proposal can yield significant reductions of about 4 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent through 2020 and 98 through 2050 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2011). The problem of HFCs is closely linked with the phasing out of ozone-depleting compounds. HFCs were created as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances but they are potent greenhouse gases as well and pose threats to adding up to global warming and climate change and ozone depletion. Without action, increase in HFC use is anticipated to be driven by the ongoing accelerated phase out of hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and increasing global demand for refrigeration and air-conditioning. The North American Amendment proposal builds on the commitment made at the 22nd Meeting of the Parties where 90 countries declared their intent to pursue further action to transition the world to more environmentally sound alternatives to ozone-depleting substances (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2011). (Source: http://www.theozonehole.com/). Figure 4. Consumption of ozone depleting substances expressed as million tonnes of ozone depletion potential (ODP), 1989-2009. ODP is a number that refers to the amount of ozone depletion caused by a chemical substance. Consumption of ozone depleting substances has largely been reduced in the past 20 years The global consumption of ozone depleting substances has reduced by 95%. As a result the first signs of the recovery of the ozone layer are visible. Nevertheless, the recovery of the ozone layer is currently not expected before the mid of the century. Much remains to be done to ensure the continuous recovery of the ozone layer and to reduce the impact of Ozone Depleting Substances on climate change. Some suggestions to help save the ozone are: first, the total ban of ozone depleting substances in all equipments and products, second, assurance of ozone friendly alternative that should be tested and guaranteed; and last, assurance of proper propagation and strict implementation of the laws to prevent illegal trade in the use of ozone depleting substances (European Commission, 2011). The whole world must be in keen watch to further strengthen the combat against ozone depletion holding on to the fact that humanity only has one shot on earth and once it is destroyed a bigger problem would be where to raise the human race or how to raise the human race amidst the harmful rays of the sun permitted by the total destruction of the ozone. Bibliography: Anderson S., Sarma K. & Taddonio K. (2007) Technology transfer for the ozone layer: lessons for climate change. Earthscan Publishing, p. 23-41 European Commission (2011) Protection of the ozone layer [internet] Available from [Accessed 28 February 2012] Fergusson A. (2001) Ozone Depletion and climate change: understanding the linkages. Minister of Environment, Canada, pp 1-28. de Gruijl F., Longstreth J., Norval M.,  Cullen A.,  Slaper H., Kripke M., Takizawa Y. & van der Leun J. (2003) Health effects from stratospheric ozone depletion and interactions with climate change [Internet]. Affiliation Information 1. Leiden University Medical Centre,Sylvius Labs., Wassenaarseweg 72, , The Netherlands Photochemical &Photobiological Sciences. Available from [Accessed 28 February 2012] Hartmann D., Wallace J., Limpasuvan V., Thompson D., & Holton J. (2000) Can ozone depletion and global warming interact to produce rapid climate change? Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 97 (4) February. pp. 1412-1417 Le Preste P., Reid J. & Morehouse T. (1998) Protecting the ozone layer: lessons, models and prospects. Kluwer Academic Publishers. p. 1-12 Martens W. (1998) Health Impacts of Climate Change and Ozone Depletion: An Ecoepidemiologic Modeling Approach. Environmental Health Perspective. 106 (1) pp. 24-251 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2010) Ozone Science: The Facts Behind the Phase out [internet]. Available from [Accessed 28 February 2012] US Environmental protection Agency (2009) Ozone Layer [internet] Available from [Accessed 28 February 2012] US Environmental Protection Agency (2011) Recent International Developments in Saving the Ozone Layer: North American Amendment Proposal to phase-Down HFCs under the Montreal Protocol [internet]. Available from [Accessed 28 February 2012] What is the Ozone layer (2010) [internet] Available from [Accessed 28 February 2012] Read More