Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change on Ozone Depletion
Most of the scientists have been stressing on global warming and climate changes in the seminars they attend and interviews they give. These two are considered to be very serious environmental problems which pose threat on the existence of living beings. Apart from some few intersecting similarities, both ozone depletion as well as global warming is independent of each other.
In our effort to protect environment, it is very essential that we are in the first place familiarizing ourselves with what is this global warming all about. Systematic increase in the temperature of the earth’s surface is caused by the greenhouse gases. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon dioxide, methane, perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HCFs) are the main contributors to global warming and climate changes. The gases are known to trap heat on the earth’s surface by absorbing energy from sun, very little amount of heat is released back to the atmosphere or outer space.
Now that we are aware of what global warming is all about, let us see its effects on ozone depletion. Ozone depletion refers to disappearance of the ozone layer which can have devastating effects of the lives of animals, flora and fauna. It is considered to be the protective shield of the earth. The layer is situated about 30 miles from the surface of the earth in the upper atmosphere or the stratosphere. The layer continuously destroys and again builds itself. Ozone layer depletion starts when rate of construction surpasses rate of devastation. Ozone layer supports existence on earth by filtering the harmful UV rays of sun. The strong rays are capable of destroying life on earth completely. Cases of skin cancer and cataracts have increased with increase in the rate of ozone layer depletion.
Global warming and climate changes share some similarities with the phenomenon of ozone depletion. Chlorofluorocarbons or (CFCs) which are mainly produced by human activities are said to be primarily responsible for destruction of the ozone layer. The gas traps heat on the earth’s surface and thereby rises the temperature; this in course of time also tears apart the protective shield of ozone layer. However, there are some positive reports offered by Environmental Protection Agency in US which says that the ozone layer will come back to its normal form by the year 2050. This however, will have no effect on global warming and climate change says the scientists.
The ozone is another greenhouse gas which contributes to trapping of heat on the surface of the stratosphere. The temperature of the earth gets affected with depletion of ozone layer. Global cool down is experienced with its depletion which results in changes in weather conditions. These conditions are experienced at the higher layers of stratosphere.
Now that we have gone through the entire article, the effects of global warming and climate change and its relation with ozone layer depletion is a lot clearer to us. In the environmental protection programs, scientists from all over the world are pledging the commoners to join hands and take necessary steps to prevent occurrences of global warming and ozone depletion.
