Global IssuesThe Ozone Layer and Climate Change
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Scientists believe that Global Warming will lead to a weaker1 Ozone layer, because as the surface temperature rises, the stratosphere (the Ozone layer being found in the upper part) will get colder, making the natural repairing of the Ozone slower.
NASA, for example, reports2 that by 2030, "climate change may surpass chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as the main driver of overall ozone loss."
The Ozone layer protects all life on Earth from the harmful effects of the Sun's rays. It has been depleting for many years now. Scientists have said that currently over Antarctica the Ozone hole is three times the size of the United States3 and growing4.
Also, according to scientists, more than 60 percent5 of the ozone layer blanketing the Arctic Circle was lost in the 1999/2000 winter.
Also, September 9 to 10, 2000, the ozone hole stretched over a populated city for the first time6. It was in Punta Arenas, a southern Chile city of about 120,000 people, exposing residents to very high levels of ultra violet radiation.
The ozone depletion has also been correlated with higher levels of cancer in humans and animals.
0 articles on “The Ozone Layer and Climate Change” and 2 related issues:
Climate Change and Global Warming
The climate is changing. The earth is warming up, and there is now overwhelming scientific consensus that it is happening, and human-induced. With global warming on the increase and species and their habitats on the decrease, chances for ecosystems to adapt naturally are diminishing. Many are agreed that climate change may be one of the greatest threats facing the planet. Recent years show increasing temperatures in various regions, and/or increasing extremities in weather patterns.
This section explores some of the effects of climate change. It also attempts to provide insights into what governments, companies, international institutions, and other organizations are attempting to do about this issue, as well as the challenges they face. Some of the major conferences in recent years are also discussed.
Read “Climate Change and Global Warming” to learn more.
Environmental Issues
Environmental issues are also a major global issue. Humans depend on a sustainable and healthy environment, and yet we have damaged the environment in numerous ways. This section introduces other issues including biodiversity, climate change, animal and nature conservation, population, genetically modified food, sustainable development, and more.
Read “Environmental Issues” to learn more.
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