Air pollution is a rising concern in today’s society and environment. Air pollution is caused from the pollution of chemicals produced by human factors, industries, cars, and etc…, this pollution can lead to negative effects for humans, the environment, and all the livings things on Earth. The negative effects of air pollution can lead to the deteriorating of the ozone layer, the ozone layer is a layer of ozone (O3 gas) in the atmosphere that reflects most of the Sun’s UV-B radiation (radiation that is harmful to humans and all living things). Additionally, the Montreal Protocol, is an international agreement to protect the ozone layer from deteriorating chemicals, it has been signed by 197 countries to protect the ozone layer. There are also many Canadian initiatives that are in effect to protect the ozone layer. These initiatives have shown positive responses by the environment. My personal stance on the effectiveness of these initiatives is that these initiatives are working and will protect the ozone layer now and in the future as well.
The ozone layer is in stratosphere, region of the atmosphere 11km - 50km above the surface of the Earth. Firstly, this layer of ozone reflects most ultraviolet sunlight (UV-B) from the Sun, allowing small amounts to reach the surface of the Earth. This UV-B is damaging to all life forms on Earth. Without this layer of ozone in the stratosphere UV-B radiation would negatively affect humans, animals, plants, and sea life. Secondly, the ozone layer is being deteriorated by the accumulation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) (CFC is a compound of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. CFCs are used in propellants, foaming agents, aerosol sprays, solvents, and coolants in freezers and refrigerators), halons,...
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... twenty-seven years since the Montreal Protocol has been signed and already there has been a significant improvement to the environment. It is estimated that it will take an additional fifty years for the ozone layer to recover. Furthermore, the phasing out of ozone-depleting substances had led to substitute substances that are safer than the originally used substance. This will lead to the decline of harmful pollutants being produced by humans. Moreover, there is only a minute number of nations that have not signed the Montreal Protocol, which means the majority of the world are following the regulations of the Montreal Protocol. There has also been an increase of support for a greener and healthier environment. There have only been positive reactions from people and the environment and does not show possible negative effects or reactions.
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Life on this planet Earth is the product of a delicate balancing act provided by nature. Mankind's very existence is totally dependent on this fragile ecosystem's ability to maintain itself. A valuable player in the balance of the environment, the ozone layer, is facing a very serious threat by man. Chloroflourocarbons (CFCs), are chemical agents commonly found in refrigerants, aerosol sprays, and in the manufacturing of Styrofoam and industrial solvents. With the rate of more than a half-million tons of CFCs being spewed into the atmosphere yearly, the rate of ozone depletion is rising at an alarming rate. If a global effort is not made to end the unnecessary use of CFCs, the inhabitants of this planet face an extremely difficult and frightening future.
“In 2008, 21,000 Canadians died from the effects of air pollution.”(Geduld) Although most of these deaths are from long term exposure to the pollutants there was still “2,682 deaths caused from short term exposure.”(Geduld).“5.5 percent of cardiopulmonary (heart and lung disease related) deaths can be attributed to ground-level ozone exposure, which has increased over the past decade.” (David Suzuki Foundation)
Stratospheric ozone absorbs 97-99% of ultraviolet radiation. As this protective layer continues to dissentigrate, human health will suffer. One American dies every hour from skin cancer, a direct result of ozone depletion by anthropogenic chemicals, primarily CFCs, which damage the ozone layer. Alternate chemicals are now being used in the place of CFCs that will not damage statospheric ozone, and there is international recognition of the importance of developing these chemicals. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty which limits the production of ozone depleting substances. Still, human health is at risk from the deletion of ozone, and the risk factor will continue to rise unless people and industries become more aware of the implications connected with everyday use of chemicals which destroy stratospheric ozone.
This article states that the ozone hole is diminishing. The credit for this good news is the phasing out of the ozone-depleting chemicals sponsored by the Montreal Protocol (Ozone hole diminishing, Nov). According to this article, the hole reached a peak of 25 million square kilometers, coming down from 28 in previous years since 1998 up to 2006. The article emphasizes the fact that ozone-depleting gases are still being used. The article continues by stating that according to the World Meteorological Organization, the planet will come back to pre-ozone hole conditions between 2060 and 2075 (Ozone hole diminishing, Nov).
The atmospheric oxygen is in molecular form containing two atoms of oxygen. But when a high-tension electric current is passed through a stream of air in a closed chamber, triatomic molecules of oxygen are formed as shown by the following equation:
The depletion of the ozone layer has been a trending topic after it was first discovered in 1970. The ozone layer is a portion of the earth’s stratosphere which absorbs most of the sun’s UV rays hence preventing cancer and other fatal illness to the skin. It contains high concentrations of O3 and at a constant rate is being broken down and. Since 1970, it has been discovered that about 4% of the ozone layer wears off every decade and is as a result of day-to-day human activity.
Along with being aware about air pollution, we should also be aware about ozone concentrations and fossil fuel burning. The public should be concerned with ozone concentrations because they are constantly increasing. Ozone levels are increasing because of the heat and pollution. The public should be informed on how to reduce pollution and heat. Some steps the public can take to reduce pollution are to use public transportation and electric vehicles, conserve energy and recycle. Moreover, planting more plants will reduce heat and decrease ozone levels. Ozone is considered “bad” when found in the lower troposphere because it leads to many health effects in humans. Breathing ozone can cause bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Therefore, humans should stay indoors in the afternoon during the summer months. “Bad” Ozone also damages our crops and forests, affecting our food chain and the economy. Ozone is considered “good” in the Stratosphere because it protects us from dangerous ultraviolet rays released by the sun. Ozone in the Stratospheres protects us from conditions such as skin cancer and cataracts. Furthermore, ozone in the atmosphere protects our crops, thus playing
A thin layer of gas called atmosphere surrounds the Earth. The atmosphere serves two important purposes: it is a filter for the suns dangerous ultraviolet radiation rays and keeps the heat, necessary to maintain life on earth, within the stratosphere (Vorlat 361). Ultraviolet light is incredibly dangerous to all the organisms within the Earth's ecosystem because it causes skin cancer, effects the immune system, and harms plant and animal life. For that reason the atmosphere and the ozone layer within it are crucial to a stable life on this planet. The ozone layer is in danger, however. It is facing depletion by a toxic man-made substance called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Together the international community is working through treaties and conventions to stop this environmental problem.
15.2) The accumulation of chlorofluorocarbons is responsible for depleting the atmospheric zone. The atmospheric zone has changed in concentration due to human activity. The CFCs release chlorine atoms which react with ozone reducing it to molecular O₂. Following chemical reactions release the chlorine which reacts with other ozone molecules in a catalytic chain reaction. The ozone layer is getting thinner and thinner as stable air at places such as Antarctica allows reaction to continue. The accumulation of CFCs has led to increased UV radiation in sunlight reaching the earth thereby decreasing ozone levels. The global temperature has increased.
As the twenty-first century progresses, it has become increasingly apparent just how many challenges the world faces. Prominent among these concerns are environmental issues, in particular, ozone depletion and climate change. While the international community has been exceptionally successful in its struggle to reduce the production and consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the organic compounds that contribute to the ozone issue, its efforts to tackle climate change have yielded considerably fewer advancements. A number of factors that helped the proceedings of the ozone regime, or campaign, are not applicable to the climate change regime. The issue of limiting CFCs was much less politically and economically charged than that of reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs), which cause the greenhouse effect and the consequent warming of the planet. Climate change has been referred to as the ultimate “tragedy of the commons”, an important metaphor in economics that helps explain why this subject is still at the centre of much heated debate and has yet to be resolved in a manner similar to that of the ozone problem.
...depletion of the ozone layer, biodiversity and stress on food producing systems(IPCC 2013). Therefore, climate change is highly risky and the appropriate international steps should be taken in order to stop more climate change and its negative and severe consequences.
Ozone depletion directly affects society and the environment through increased exposure to UV radiation on humans, animals, plants and materials.
The Greenhouse effect and ozone depletion are two of the most prevalent environmental issues faced globally today. Greenhouse gases have the ability to absorb infrared radiation from the sun. Global warming refers to an increase in average global temperature due to natural and anthropogenic causes. Ozone depletion describes an observed decline of 4% ozone per decade in the total volume of the Earth’s stratosphere and seasonal ozone depletion events. Ozone levels within the stratosphere are normalizing due to the Montreal protocol but the concentration of greenhouses gases within the atmosphere are escalating and we could see the melting of permafrost in Siberia and Alaska which contains vast quantities of methane which could lead to “irreversible environmental change”
The ozone layer diminishes more each year. As the area of polar ozone depletion (commonly called the ozone hole) gets larger, additional ultraviolet rays are allowed to pass through. These rays cause cancer, cataracts, and lowered immunity to diseases.1 What causes the depletion of the ozone layer?
Air Pollution is when a poisonous or a harmful substance is released in the air. There are many form of pollution but air is one of them, it only occurs when dust, harmful gases or smoke enters into the atmosphere and makes it hard for species like plants, animals and humans to live in a difficult situation because of the dirty air.Air Pollution is classified in two sections, invisible air pollution and visible air pollution.. Hence any substance that makes it difficult for the living things that need the atmosphere is air pollution.Humans have been undergoing air pollution ever since the industrial revolution.In order to understand the causes of Air pollution, it is divided into divisions. Primary air pollutants and secondary air pollutants: