Ozone Layer Depletion and Its Effects
Human act
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Human activities are increasing the worldwide atmospheric concentrations of chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, methane, and several other gases. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that, if these trends continue, stratospheric ozone may decline and global temperature may rise. Because the ozone layer shields the earth's surface from damaging ultraviolet radiation (UV), damage to the ozone layer could harm future crop yields, destroy materials, and place additional stress on aquatic plants and animals. A global warming from the "greenhouse effect" could threaten human health and cause melting of the polar ice caps. Precipitation and storm patterns could change, and the level of the oceans could eventually rise. These possibilities emphasize the increasing danger of a disappearing ozone layer. If action is not taken now, people will soon suffer the serious consequences. The ozone in the uppermost part of the atmosphere, the stratosphere, is created by ultraviolet radiation. Oxygen (O2) is converted to ozone (O3) and back to 0 by many photochemical reactions that take place in the stratosphere (Council on Environment, 1986, p. 7). Chlorofluorocarbons and other gases released by human activities could alter the current balance of creative and destructive processes. Because CFCs are very stable compounds, they do not break up in the lower atmosphere, known as the troposphere (Committee on the Atmosphere..., 1981, p. 13). Instead, they slowly migrate to th
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manner somewhat analogous to the glass panels of a greenhouse, this phenomenon is commonly known as the "greenhouse effect." Without the greenhouse effect of the gases that occur naturally in the atmosphere, the earth would be approximately 33 degrees colder that it is. In recent decades, the concentrations of greenhouse gases have been increasing (Breur, 1983, p. 96). In 1985, it was discovered that the greenhouse gases other than CO2 1 such as methane, CFCs, and nitrous oxide, are likely to double the warming caused by CO2 alone. Using these results, the Villach Conference estimated that an "effective doubling" of CO2 is likely to occur by 2030 (p. 148).
The greenhouse warming could affect agriculture by altering water availability, the length of growing season, and the number of extremely hot days. Warming appears to be detrimental to cereals in the core wheat-growing areas of North America and Europe. If no precipitation changes take place, a one-degree warming would decrease yields 1 to 9 percent. A two-degree warming would decrease yields 3 to 17 percent (Council on Environmental Quality, 1982, p. 6). Also, certain crop zones might shift. A doubling of CO2 would substantially expand the wheat-growing area in Canada
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Approximate Word count = 1624
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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