Posted on July 3, 2008 in Latest News
The term global warming alerts us to protect our atmosphere from a huge phenomenon of ozone depletion. Greenhouse gases and refrigerants are predominant causes for global warming. Global warming highly affects the existence of biolife thereby promoting inconsistency in atmospheric layers. The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of several layers. The lowest layer of the atmosphere and the one closest to the Earth is troposphere which extends up to about 10 kilometers from the Earth’s surface.
Ozone Layer:
Ozone layer is located above the troposphere in the stratosphere. Ozone layer is Earth’s natural protection for all life forms, shielding our planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation particularly from UV-B radiation. UV-B radiation is harmful to humans, animals and plants.
Ozone Layer Depletion:
The ozone layer is getting destructed by certain industrial chemicals including ozone depleting refrigerants, halons and methyl bromide, a pesticide used on crops.
Global Warming:
Ozone depletion causes global warming, a term which is often used interchaneably with climate change. Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and refrigerants create a green house effect by trapping heat in the lower atmosphere. This phenomenon makes the Earth warmer because the sun rays are allowed directly into the lower atmosphere and harm the biolife of the Earth.
Scientists and environmental organizations claim that, continued global warming will speed up the ozone depletion. Because global warming traps heat in troposphere, very less heat reaches the stratosphere which makes it colder. Ozone depletion becomes a major threat for biolife when the stratosphere becomes colder. Greenhouse gases such acts as a sheild cover for troposphere and will make stratosphere colder.
Consequences of Ozone Depletion and Global Warming:
Ultraviolet radiation particularly UV-B radiation causes cancer, cataracts and immune suppression in both humans and animals and it also affects plants.
Global warming – Infectious Diseases:
Insects and rodents are the main vectors for most of the infectious diseases. If the environment becomes warmer, the insects will fly to new places where they can survive and infect more people. UV-B radiation damages amphibian eggs, larvae and trout.
Global Warming – Food Chain:
If ozone depletion is allowed to continue our food chain will be disrupted effectively. Due to this crops, animals, algae and fungi will all get damaged and the availability of food will be reduced.
To prevent ozone depletion as well the global warming every individual should contribute to set their environment green and pollution-free. Promoting plantation, biofuel consumption and regulating the usage of refrigerants may help to overcome the threat of ozone depletion and hence global warming.
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