Will Clark ENC 1102-CRN April 4, 2013

Ozone is a gas that develops naturally in our atmosphere. Most of it is concentrated in the ozone layer, a region located in the stratosphere several miles above the surface of the Earth. Although ozone represents only a small part of the gas in the atmosphere, it is an extremely important factor in protecting humans and other life on Earth from Ultraviolet light from the sun.

Although there are many people who believe that the depletion of the ozone layer is not directly impacting their lives, the problem needs to be considered as ozone depletion is creating dangerous consequences.

In order for major corporations to create a mass amount of product to sell they must use industrial foundries and transportation that emit harmful gasses into the air that continue to deplete our Ozone. “Certain industrial processes and consumer products result in the atmospheric emission of ozone-depleting gases. These gases contain chlorine and bromine atoms, which are known to be harmful to the ozone layer. Important examples are the CFCs and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), human- produced gases once used in almost all refrigeration and air conditioning systems. These gases eventually reach the stratosphere, where they are broken apart to release ozone-depleting chlorine atoms. Other examples are the halons,which are used in fire extinguishers and which contain ozone-depleting bromine atoms”. Big Business

What the heck is the Ozone?? Many people are not even aware of what is going on in our atmosphere. Not only that, but they do not know what the Ozone even is, what is destroying it, and how much it could affect their life.

Why should we try and stop Ozone Depletion? Health issues are arising from this. Plant life, animal life, and overall production of food are being affected. To keep our atmosphere from collapsing.

Health issues Many issues have come up from the depletion of the Ozone. With no Ozone to protect us from Ultra Violet rays this leaves us exposed and vulnerable to the harmful rays. These harmful rays leave many terrible effects on humans. Effects include skin cancer, eye cancer, damage to the immune system and others. Scientific Research Examples: Effects on skin Malignant melanoma Non-melanocytic skin cancer—basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma Sunburn Chronic sun damage Photodermatoses. Effects on the eye Acute photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis Climatic droplet keratopathy Pterygium Cancer of the cornea and conjunctiva Lens opacity (cataract)—cortical, posterior subcapsular Uveal melanoma Acute solar retinopathy Macular degeneration. Effect on immunity and infection Suppression of cell mediated immunity Increased susceptibility to infection Impairment of prophylactic immunization Activation of latent virus infection.

Effects on the Ecosystem There is an ecological dimension to consider. Ultraviolet radiation impairs the molecular chemistry of photosynthesis both on land (terrestrial plants) and at sea (phytoplankton). This could affect world food production, at least marginally, and thus contribute to nutritional and health problems in food- insecure populations (). If plants cannot produce properly animals will no longer have food to eat. If animals do not eat they will die hence humans will no longer have a source of food. The rays are destroying the earth and its bountiful green food.

No Ozone No Earth Ultra Violet rays will burn the earth to the ground with no protection from the Ozone.

Common Ground Big business must continue to keep our economy running, but we must find a way to conduct big business without harming our ozone. It is not the peoples fault if they have not been educated on the subject everyone must help get the word out.

Solution for Big Business We must continue big business, but do it in a green way. No more burning fossil fuels. Use electricity and solar panels from the UV rays to power factories and trucks.

Solution to Uneducated People Create organizations and go inform students at a young age in every school system in the nation. When people are informed young it spreads knowledge to others through out their whole lives. Create awareness.

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