Depletion of the Ozone Layer
People throughout the world are voicing concern with the environment. Today, it is not unusual to read about environmental problems. One problem that is important to all of us is the depletion of the ozone layer. One question being asked is, does the depletion of the ozone cause a danger to our health? Many experts would say yes. Today, the ozone is depleting in the summer as well as in the winter and not just over Antarctica, but also over other countries such as the United States. Many countries are starting to take steps to help reduce the depletion of the ozone. However, all the countries in the world need to come together and do more. "Ozone is a form of oxygen that is present in the Earth's atmosphere in small amounts (Brunnee 3)." The presence of ozone makes it possible for life on Earth. Ozone is made naturally by photochemical and discharge reactions (Brunnee 4). Photochemical production occurs when, " high energy radiation from the sun strikes ordinary oxygen molecules in the upper atmosphere." Lightening and sparks from motors also convert oxygen to ozone (Brunnee 3). The question about the destruction of the ozone layer revolves around whether human-made CFCs (chlor
CFCs used in air conditioners and refrigerators are being replaced by hydrochloroflurocarbons or HCFCs. HCFCs are almost the same as CFCs but do less damage to the ozone. By the year 2030, HCFCs will hopefully be replaced by chlorine-free HFC or hydroflurocarbons (Brunnee 32). 1995 was the last year American Industry could use ozone-depleting chemicals, CFCs. As a result, 1995 may have been the first year ozone depletion may have gone down. If we are lucky, the elimination of CFC's will make the ozone depletion decline and in 70 years or so, our ozone may return to normal thickness (Brunnee 33). In a poll conducted in twenty-two countries, it was found that environmental problems are a serious concern. "Majorities in 19 of 22 countries express at least a fair amount of concern about the environmental problems...." In all countries, over 1/2 of all people polled think that environmental problems will affect people in years to come. In 73% of the countries, citizens said they would pay higher prices for more environmental protection. The countries polled were Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, United States and Uruguay (Brunnee 32). With these attitudes, we can be hopeful that most people will support the ban on CFCs. NASA researches claim that they have evidence that shows CFCs are to blame for ozone depletion. Natural chlorine is only about 1/5 of the chlorine in the stratosphere because most of it dissolves in the rainwater before it reaches the ozone (Cagin 6). Oceans and volcanoes do release large amounts of chlorine, but this chlorine dissolves easily in water and washes out in the rain (Cagin 7). CFCs, on the other hand, do no
Some common words found in the essay are:
Earth Ozone, Montreal Protocol, United Cagin, American Industry, Layer People, Earth Scientists, DNA Children, HCFCs CFCs, Uruguay Brunnee, ozone depletion, CFCs CFCs, ozone layer, depletion ozone, cagin 9, skin cancer, ultraviolet rays, uv rays, cagin 6, ozone destruction, depletion ozone layer, cfcs industrialized countries, chlorine stratosphere, destruction ozone layer,
Approximate Word count = 1231
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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