ജി.വി.എച്ച്.എസ്.എസ്. വട്ടിയൂർക്കാവ്/അക്ഷരവൃക്ഷം/IMPORTANCE OF OZONE DAY IN OUR ENVIRONMENT

IMPORTANCE OF OZONEDAY IN OUR ENVIRONMENT September 16: On December 19, 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed September 16 to be the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date when the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987. The day was first celebrated on September 16, 1995. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF OZONE DEPLET Humans: an increase in UV-B rays means a higher risk of skin cancer, eye cataracts, and blindness. Marine life: Phytoplankton and zooplankton are very sensitive to the amount of light in their environment, and increases in UV-B rays would greatly affect them. Because these organisms are the base of the food chain, declines in their numbers would likely have wide-reaching effects for all marine life. Plants: UV-B rays negatively affect plants, including crops humans rely on. An increase in UV-B rays can mean smaller leaf size, decreased plant growth, and lower quality crops for humans. Plants form the basis for most food chains, thus negative effects would likely cascade to those organisms relying on them. Plants are also very important in terms of respiration, photosynthesis, soil stability, and a decline in plant productivity/reduced plant growth would potentially affect soil erosion and productivity and the carbon cycle. Advantages of the Ozone Layer Protection against cancer and cataracts Ozone is very efficient at absorbing the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation even in very small amounts. For this reason, the ozone layer protects the earth by blocking the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can cause skin cancer and cataracts in humans. Protection of the environment and ecosystems The ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is very harmful and can be destructive to our natural ecosystems and the environment. UV radiation has an effect upon the fertility of some animals and affects the survival of their offspring. Plants are as well affected by UV radiation as it negatively impacts their ability to develop and grow properly. Furthermore, UV radiation determines chemical reaction and breakdown of various atmospheric processes which can contribute to disastrous changes in the aquatic environments and other earth’s ecosystems in general. For instance, changes in UV levels affect the growth and development of phytoplankton. The ozone layer thus plays an important role by preventing the harmful UV radiations from penetrating into the earth’s lower atmosphere (the troposphere). Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion Depletion to ozone layer depletion does not affect a region or a country. In fact whole world is vulnerable to its after affects. The increase in the levels of UV rays lead to high rate of skin cancer and eye related problems. Lets have a look at some of the solutions to ozone layer depletion.