The major harmful effects of ozone depletion on human health are due to an increased level of UVB reaching the earth and include an increase in skin cancers and cataracts (U.S., 2004). Physiological and developmental processes in plants are affected by UVB levels and ozone depletion could thus cause changes in plant form, how nutrients are distributed within the plant, timing of developmental phases and secondary metabolism. This affects plant competitive balance, herbivory, plant diseases and biogeochemical cycles. Exposure to UVB affects orientation mechanisms and motility in phytoplankton, resulting in reduced survival rates. Synthetic polymers, naturally occurring biopolymers and some materials of commercial interest are affected by solar UV radiation, but special additives protect most modern compounds from UVB. However increases in solar UVB would hasten the breakdown of such materials.
Global warmi9ng can affect health because particular diseases and other threats to human health depend on local climate (U.S., 2000). Extreme temperatures can cause loss of life directly, and several serious diseases only appear in warm climates. Warmer temperatures also increase air and water pollution. Global warming affects hundreds of plant and animal species and effects are already being seen (Schwartz, 2003). Birds are laying eggs earlier than usual, plants are flowering earlier than usual, and mammals are breaking hibernation sooner. Several species, including butterflies and marine invertebrates have shifted their ranges northward as temperatures have increased. Rapid climate change coupled with loss of habitat can bring about the extinction of species.
Schwartz, M. (2003). Effects of global warming already being felt on plants and animals worldwide. Retrieved Feb. 2, 2006 from
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/news/pr/03/rppt18.html
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2000). Health. Retrieved Feb. 2,
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