What's Happening Up There?
Jasmine Lopez Period 6
Ozone Depletion?
The layer after the troposphere in our atmosphere is what we call the ozone layer. It protects us from the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from the sun by absorbing it. However, ozone depletion is being caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released into the air. Ozone depletion is described as the thinning of the ozone layer. CFCs are gases found in aerosol spray cans and refrigerants, their man-made chemicals.
Health Issues
Ozone depletion is causing people to get non-melanoma skin cancer. It also plays a major role in malignant melanoma development. That's not the only health issue though; it's also causing people to develop cataracts.
Reproductive capcity
UVB exposure could result in population reductions for small marine organisms with implications for the whole marine food chain.
Developmet
Rising UVB radiation is causing plants to have serial development issues in/with their competitive balance, herbivory, plant diseases, and biogeochemical cycles. It's also causing animals like those in our aquatic family have development issues too like reproductive capacity and impaired larval development.
5 ways to help
1.)Limit private vehicle driving
2.)Use eco-friendly household cleaning products
3.)Avoid using pesticides
4.)Developing stringent regulations for rocket launches
5.)Banning the use of dangerous nitrous oxide
Challenges with Todays' Society
Even though we as a society know we are highly damaging the ozone layer we still continue to use material objects that are causing it. It's hard not to when for years we've got used to it and didn't see it as a problem. Now that it's something more noticeable we need to take action. However, as sad as it is people all around the world will show no interest in actually becoming involved in helping the situation that we've practically created.