Essay on Ozone Depletion and the Environment

This source features a report by Jill U. Adams on the dangers, and current regulations of air pollution and climate change. Holding a Ph.D. in pharmacology from Emory University, the author primarily writes a health column for the Washington Post. She has also been featured in the magazines Audubon, Scientific American and Science. Because this article covers climate change, there is an inherent liberal bias. However, this bias coincides with irrefutable scientific data proving the existence of climate change. The audience for this article is anyone effected by air pollution and climate change; just about everyone. This source upholds my speculation that human beings have a significant effect on the climate. Before reading this article, I wasn’t aware that 55 million people a year died from air pollution. I found this source on CQ Researcher while searching for ‘pollution.’

However, the effect of this process was unknown. Within three months, the pair developed the CFC ozone depletion theory. They determined that as the CFCs are broken down by solar radiation, the chlorine atoms are released into the atmosphere. As the chlorine atoms encounter ozone molecules, the two react to form chlorine oxide and an oxygen molecule. When the chlorine oxide molecule encounters another ozone molecule, two oxygen molecules form, the chlorine molecule is released, and the process begins again. Molina determined that over 100,000 ozone molecules could be destroyed by a single chlorine atom. In addition, CFCs could contain up to four atoms of chlorine per molecule. Molina predicted that in 60 years, CFCs could destroy 7% of the ozone in the earth's

Holes in the ozone layer are created because the atmosphere becomes filled with a bountiful amount of gasses, which humans have a large part in contributing to. As stated in the article, Fracking Contributes to Global Warming, it says that fracking is more dangerous than conventional drilling because of the fact that it releases methane gas into the atmosphere. To clarify, fracking is the process of injecting liquids at high pressures into the ground in order to extract oil or gas. This shows that with people not worrying about the effects of global warming, they are furthering global warming's destruction when drilling for oil. Furthermore, according to the article, Fracking Contributes to Global Warming, it states, “And methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas in the short term—less than 100 years—than carbon dioxide” (“Fracking Contributes to Global Warming”). What this means is that not only are people making the world hotter, but they are also destroying the atmosphere at a quicker rate. To repeat, due to people’s lack of understanding what the risks are when dealing with global warming, the world around them is deteriorating fast. If holes continue to form in the ozone layer, people’s lives and the environment will be impacted

The ozone should always stay in tact to protects the earth from UV radiation, which is harmful to humans (skin cancer) and also the earth (global warming). If allowed to build up indoors, VOCs often contribute to lightheadedness, headaches, allergies and more importantly has also scientifically proven harmful to asthma sufferers. As a matter of fact, according to Professor Roy Harrison, professor of environmental health at Birmingham University, there is a body of research on VOCs in the indoor environment which links them with those kinds of symptoms - headaches and not feeling so good (news.bbc.co.uk). After proven to have negative effects on the ozone layer as well as humans, the production of CFCs was shut down and in fact it’s banned in the US. Some scientists were not convinced by the act of banning CFCs in spite of all these evidences. “Given the large economic impact of a ban — it was estimated that industries relying on CFC production generated $8 billion in business and employed 200,000 people in 1974 — several scientists in the field advocated waiting a few years for science to make more progress on the issue before making any policy decisions.” (bio.sunyorange.edu)

In the late 1970’s scientists concluded that products releasing carbonflourochloride (CFC) was causing the ozone to deplete. The ozone layer is a protective layer from the sun’s rays and depleting the ozone layer allowed the stronger, harmful to health on earth, rays to get through. International action was taken in 1987 and the Montreal Protocol came into being. It was an international treaty to phase out CFC producing products. It went into effect in 1988 and has achieved international success. Once the Montreal Protocol had been agreed to the World Health Organization released information on the harmful effects CFC’s were having on the ozone

These chemicals are eating away at our ozone layer creating a hole in our ozone layer. This hole allows light spectrum and UV radiation to enter our planet. These radiations cause problems for all living organisms. Our ozone layer is our planets’ protection from solar radiation when integrity is compromised; all living organisms are exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. Also, these UV radiations are becoming more and more dramatic. Geoengineers are examining the effect of solar light would have on the quality of life, under the ozone layer which is becoming systemically destroyed every day. The quality of life for all living organisms cannot go anywhere but down with this dangerous solar energy entering our

How do CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons affect Canada’s Ozone layer. To answer this question we first have to understand chlorofluorocarbons and the earth's ozone layer. Chlorofluorocarbons are chemical compounds made up of three chlorine atoms. One fluorine atom and 1 carbon atom. There were many uses for CFCs ranging from, being used as coolants in refrigerants to propellants for aerosols to being used as solvents for dry cleaning. As CFCs are non- flammable and not very toxic we thought they were a revolutionary compound, but unfortunately CFCs were one of the leading causes for the depletion of our ozone layer. ozone is a type of oxygen, an ozone molecule consists of three oxygen atoms whereas a regular oxygen molecule only consists of two.

In 1988, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration had conclusive proof products adding to the output of carbon dioxide and methane gases in the atmosphere were causing the earth to warm; and, if not stopped will make it inhabitable for human life. In the 1970’s the United States had conclusive proof that products releasing Chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere were causing the ozone layer to deplete; and, that if continued would be dangerous for human life. The United States took international global action, by joining the Montreal Protocol, to phase out the products producing chlorofluorocarbon and the ozone layer has been successfully replenished .

Have you ever wondered where majority of the air pollution comes from and how it’s caused since half of the population here in the San Joaquin Valley are affected due to the contamination of the air. Many people around the world question themselves of air pollution but don’t know where it comes from. It's noticeable for example pesticides, ozone levels rising, vehicle pollution, toxic waste burning, wildfires, and the list goes on. The San Joaquin Valley for many have been battling for better air quality but instead of getting better it seems to be getting worse. The air quality can contribute to dangerous health issues and environmental effects. We humans aren't the only ones who are suffering from these devastating chemicals being used on a daily basis. Humans in general, Environmental Protection Agency, or California have to find ways or solutions to limit the usage of any type of air pollution being spread all around the world. However, air pollution contributes to several health problems that can either be longer term effect or short term effect. Limiting the usage of ozone into the air will reduce the chance of new born children from suffering major effects that can later turn

Climate change, specifically in reference to C02 Emissions released by human use of fossil fuels and their consequential effects on the environment, is perhaps one of the most pressing issues we, not just as Americans, but as human beings face in our lifetimes. Though it may sound like a sensationalist statement the facts are hard to deny. In May of 2013, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Aerosol hairspray does destroy the Ozone Layer. There are chemicals that are harmful to the ozone layer and are destroying the ozone layer. Plus, with all the people that use it on a day-to-day basis, it adds up a lot. I know that my mom uses it every day and she uses a lot, almost to where it fogs up her room. Here are reason why it destroys the ozone layer.

Scientists all over the world have been widely researching to find out ways in which the ozone layer is being destroyed through human actions. The ozone layer is gradually being destroyed by ozone depleting chemicals. These chemicals include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), methyl bromide, halons, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride among others (Ryding 173). These chemicals are used locally in coolants, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, aerosol propellants and foaming agents.

We use all kinds of chemicals that are damaging our air. Sprays containing chlorofluorocarbons damaging ozone layer in very top part of out atmosphere. Pesticide and other chemicals use for protecting some plant might protect plants, but they are not helping to our air at all.

National Geographic wrote the article “Good Ozone, Bad Ozone”. The article is about how there are both good parts of the ozone layer and some bad parts of the ozone layer. The ozone layer is only good when the gas is high above the ground if it is not then it can be very harmful for us. The bad thing about the ozone layer is it is made up of poisonous gasses. Approximately 90 percent of the earth’s ozone is called the stratosphere. Many scientists believe that ozone layer is being destroyed due to chemicals we use. The National Geographic was motivated to write this article to educate us on how the ozone layer has a good and a bad layer. Even though, the ozone layer is helpful because it protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays. It can be bad when the layer is depleted and

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s): CFC’s are lowering the average concentration of ozone in the stratosphere. “Since 1978 the use of CFC’s in aerosol cans has been banned in the United States, Canada and most Scandinavian countries. Aerosols are still used around the world and accounts for 25% of global CFC’s use”. (Miller 448). Spray cans discarded or leaking refrigerator and air conditioning equipment and the burning plastic foam products release the CFC’s into the atmosphere. Depending on the type, CFC’s stay in the atmosphere from 22 to 111 years.” Chlorofluorocarbons move up to the stratosphere gradually over several decades. Under high energy ultra violet (UV) radiation break them down and release chlorine atoms, which speed up the breakdown of ozone (O3) into oxygen (O2). Chlorofluorocarbons, also known as Freons, are green house gas that contributes to global warming. Photochemical air pollution is commonly referred to as “smog”. Smog is the contraction of the words smoke and fog, smog has been caused by water condensing on smoke particles, usually from burning coal. With the introduction of petroleum to replace coal economies in countries, photochemical smog has become predominant in many cities, which are located in sunny warm and dry climates with many motor vehicles. The worst episodes of