Ozone Layer Depletion

Introduction

For the past few decades, we humans have been trying to prevent the ozone layer depletion.
The ozone layer depletion is one of the main environmental issues affecting our current
world. The ozone layer is a small layer filled with bluish ozone gas about 15 to 35 kilometres
above Earth which protects us from the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays for more than billions of
years. Prolonged UV rays exposure are very hazardous as it would lead to skin cancer,
premature aging, cataracts and immune system suppression as well as deterioration of flora
and fauna.

Likely, this papers aims to discuss the cause and prevention of ozone layer depletion. In the
following section, we discuss 2 major issues and ways to reduce this issue

Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion

(a) The usage of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Most of the household products like solvents, soaps, spray aerosols, pesticides, insulating
foams, containers and coolant found in refrigerators and air conditioners prior to 1995 use
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Gradually, these substances destroy the ozone molecules once
carried by the wind to the ozone layer in the stratosphere. To prevent this, we must use CFC-
free household products and also stop using pesticides and instead weed farm manually or use
eco-friendly chemicals. The Montreal Protocol founded in 1989 signed by 197 countries
curbed the production of CFC by 98%.

(b) The usage of nitrous oxides (N2Os)

The success of the Montreal Protocol cause nitrous oxide(N2Os) emissions to be the most
harmful ozone depleting substance after CFC. Nitrous oxides are mostly found in fossil fuels,
fertilisers, livestock manure, biomass burning, human waste and industrial processes. They
are the same as CFC as N2O destroy ozone molecules. To reduce nitrous oxides, we should
be carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles on road or use hybrid cars. The government
should outlaw the use of dangerous nitrous oxide.

Conclusion

To conclude, the depletion of ozone layer does not benefit anyone. Most of the depletion are
caused by the usage of chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs) and nitrous oxides(N2O). Some of the
suggested solutions are the curbing of both gases, using eco-friendly product and the
introduction of effective laws like the Montreal Protocol.

Generally, all of us should work together to prevent the depletion of ozone layer as it is very
dangerous to the whole human race and only by being united we can curb this problem.

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depletion.html

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/ozone-layer-and-causes-of-ozone-depletion.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_layer

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depletion/5984

https://byjus.com/biology/ozone-layer-hole/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/ozone-depletion/