How to Combat Ozone Layer Depletion

Henry Yao
Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon, CA 94582

Figure 1: Ozone Layer’s Protection(source: discovermagazine.com)

It’s a bright, sunny day, the warm embrace of sunlight illuminating our world from above. The sun ferociously shines, casting upon us the light our world bathes in. But what makes it possible for us to survive amidst all of the harmful radiation and ultraviolet light shining onto us all day long?

Figure 2: Ozone Layer Depletion (source: sciencefacts.net)

The ozone layer is a thin part of the Earth’s stratosphere, the second layer of the atmosphere. It lies between 15 and 30 kilometers above Earth’s surface and contains relatively high concentrations of Ozone, a highly reactive gas consisting of three oxygen molecules bonded together (O₃). Ozone can trap ultraviolet radiation found in sunlight, which could otherwise be harmful to both human life and the well-being of many ecosystems. Acting as the Earth’s protective shield, the ozone layer not only can protect and block us from most of the harmful ultraviolet light, but also countless other organisms as well.

Figure 3: Chlorofluorocarbons effect on ozone (source: ib.bioninja.com.au)

Ozone molecules are constantly naturally destroyed and reformed as they absorb radiation, but chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons, and many other chemicals harmful to the production of ozone have caused the trend of the depletion of the ozone layer. These chemicals that soar up into the stratosphere disrupt the reforming process of ozone, and have dealt serious damage to our protective shield. With the depletion of the ozone layer, radiation can seep through the thinning ozone layer and has caused drastic effects on many ecosystems and lives including our own. Damage to the physiological and developmental processes of plants, reduced survival rates of phytoplankton, a primary producer of the aquatic food web, damage to the early developmental stages of many marine animals and their reproductive capacity, the acceleration of the degrading of many materials, and causes of skin cancer and cataracts, the clouding of the eye’s lens, in humans, are all consequences of the neglecting of the health of our ozone layer.

Figure 4: 5 Ways to Protect the Ozone Layer (source: theeducationmagazine.com )

But what can we do to help combat this issue? There are many ways for us to make a difference. We should try our best to avoid the use of gasses and chemicals dangerous to the ozone layer. Chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, methyl bromide, and nitrous oxide all have their part in ozone depletion. Secondly, we should also try to limit our usage of gas cars. Gas cars release chemicals harmful to the ozone layer, like nitrous oxide and hydrocarbons. Walking or biking close distances is a great alternative, and carpooling, driving electric cars, or transportation through buses or trains for longer distances is a great way to limit our negative impact while still keeping our old lifestyle much the same. Buying local products is another great way for us to fight this issue. Limiting the amount of distance products travel also limits the amount of harmful chemicals released that that transportation yields. Cleaning products, cosmetics, and hair sprays also contain harmful chemicals. We should all try to avoid these cosmetics and instead replace them with non-toxic products such as vinegar or bicarbonate. Lastly, maintaining all of our air conditioners, freezers, and refrigerators helps a lot with avoiding malfunctions that cause the release of chlorofluorocarbons.

Figure 5: Projected Ozone Layer Healing (source: planetaid.org)

Our ozone layer is slowly healing, but it is up to each and every one of us to try our best to stay on top of this issue and make sure to keep on educating others and spreading change in the long fight for our ozone layer to heal.