It is found that continuation of global warming will worsen the ozone depletion. Ozone depletion becomes worse when the location of the ozone layer, called Stratosphere, gets colder. Since global warming confines heat in the Troposphere, less heat gets to the Stratosphere which will make it colder. Greenhouse gases basically function as a shield for the Troposphere and make the Stratosphere colder.
Ozone layer takes a role to prevent ultraviolet rays, which protects humans from being excessively exposed to the sun. As it is widely known, every living thing on the earth relies on the solar energy to continue with their lives. There has been a component released from the sun, which is Ultraviolet (UV) light that can be extremely harmful to the living things. Ozone and oxygen molecules in the Stratosphere absorb UV light from the Sun, preventing dangerous radiation from affecting human health and the environment. For example, UV light causes skin cancer, cataracts and immune suppression in both animals and humans.
Scientists have discovered that harmful emissions account for much of the damage in the atmosphere and that the ozone layer is being increasingly thinned by human activity. This has led to harmful ultraviolet radiation and the evidence of a large ozone hole which was discovered above the continent of Antarctica in 1985. This ozone hole has been remarkably growing larger and deeper over time due to two major ozone depleting chemicals.
First off, there is significant evidence that emissions of chlorofluorocarbon gas (CFCs) have been causing a significant destruction of ozone in the Stratosphere. It is widely known that chlorofluorocarbon gas contributes to the main cause that continuously destroys the ozone layer. This is mainly released from a refrigerator, an air conditioner, and a hair spray. Once chlorofluorocarbon gas is released, it will eventually destruct the ozone layer by making holes. As a result, the ultraviolet ray comes through the holes, melts a glacier and the surface of the water will soar.
Secondly, Halon gas also ruins the ozone layer and any objects that emits Halon gas is restricted in today’s society. Halon gas consists of similar elements as CFC gas, but it contains bromine instead of chlorine. It can be seen that the relationship between bromine and Halon gas equals to the relationship between chlorine and CFC gas.
Due to these two major ozone depleting chemicals known as CFCs and Halon gas, ultraviolet rays coming through the holes from the ozone layer will ultimately cause skin cancer as well as environmental deterioration. Furthermore, the destruction of ozone layer affects all of us, because in the end, the environment where people cannot live will be formed while an ecosystem is being destroyed.
In order to address this problem, Canada made an important contribution to the environmental health. Canada has been involved in many international treaties, including the Montreal Protocol and the Kyoto Accord.
An international agreement, the Montreal Protocol, was implemented in 1987 to protect the ozone layer from further depletion. It eventually helped humans to prevent getting skin cancer and preserved the environment by protecting the ozone layer surrounding the Earth. The amount of CFCs and harmful substances are remarkably decreased by promoting the Montreal Protocol. After all, the Montreal Protocol successfully phased out most CFCs.
On the other hand, the increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is considered the cause of the increase in global temperatures. This occurred because of the Industrial Revolution and the burning of fossil fuels. In 1997, the Kyoto Accord was established to reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The Kyoto Accord aimed to curb the air pollution, but failed to tackle the issue of global warming. The reason was because industrial and influential nations such as Canada and the United States have not positively committed to this environmental plan.
It seems that Canada has taken a significant role in promoting positive global change, particularly in improving global health and wellness. However, Canada has not ratified its commitment to the action when it came to the Kyoto Accord. In order to effectively address ozone layer depletion, Canada as well as other countries of influence and relative affluence all over the world must join together and take responsibility for the global environment for the future of the earth.
Above all, it clearly reveals that we will not be able to live without the ozone layer that is located in the Stratosphere. If it happens to disappear, every living thing will be gone or mutate into the species that can even survive even if they receive ultraviolet rays. In order to maintain our lives, CFCs or Halon gas must be strongly restricted and at the same time, we should spend all strength in developing a replaceable substance.
Hence, each one of us must act now to avoid further damage by reducing products that contain either CFC gas or Halon gas, removing an atom of chlorine or bromine that can damage an ozone layer. We should also use a fan instead of an air conditioner and use a hair gel instead of a hair spray.
If each and every one of us do not make efforts to combat climate change, global warming will continue and eventually ozone depletion will be worsened. It is essential to remember that destruction of the ozone layer will damage human, animal, and plant life. Therefore, all of us should take an action to reduce further ozone destruction!