On Feb. 2, 2007, the United Nations scientific panel studying climate change declared that the evidence of a warming trend is "unequivocal," and that human activity has "very likely" been the driving force in that change over the last 50 years. The last report by the group, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in 2001, had found that humanity had "likely" played a role." (Science, 5 December 2008).

Ozone and Earth's Homeostasis

The homeostasis on the earth is maintained by the presence of ozone, ozone makes a layer in the stratosphere which is roughly about 10-15 kilometers from the earth's surface. Ozone is formed when O2 and Oxygen atom O. collide with each other. When this reaction takes place the molecule O3 contains excessive energy, after the formation of the molecule becomes unstable, the excessive energy is discarded by colliding with another atom and the energy is transferred in the form of heat. "In the results of the decomposition of ozone into O2 and O. In the ozone layer, solar radiation is absorbed. This process of the chemical bond breaking causing the absorption of a photon by a molecule is called photo dissociation." (Ozone, 5 December 2008). 99% of radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer and this is exactly why there have been serious concerns about the depletion of the ozone layer.

Maintaining the Ozone Layer

The most significant reason of the depletion is the use of ozone destroying chemicals. Ones if all the countries stop using these chemicals it is believed that the ozone layer will recover from the bad condition that it is in today. The situation is so bad that there is even a hole over the Antarctic Ocean and in spite of this if all the countries tend to ignore this then very soon there would be no life on Earth. Producing industrial chemicals has also been a serious issue which causes the thinning of the ozone layer. Many countries have joined hands and reduced producing chemicals which deplete the ozone layer. Every country must be aware of this serious issue only then can we think about maintaining the ozone layer. Every individual must make it a point to use products which have the sign of "Ozone friendly" on them, this can bring about a significant change and the same can protect the ozone layer from depleting further. When refrigerators or Air conditioners are repaired, it must be made a point to use the same CFCs instead of using new CFCs...

The air conditioners in automobiles must be checked every now and then to deal with the leakage which affects the ozone layer. The Halon fire extinguishers must be replaced with carbon dioxide fire extinguishers. All the educational institutes must spread awareness to counter this problem, unless more and more people get to know about this, the problem can never be solved. It can be solved by the cooperation of the people all across the globe.
There is a direct link between increased exposure to UV radiation and elevated risk of contracting certain types of skin cancers. Risk factors include skin type, sunburn during childhood, and exposure to intense sunlight. Recent changes in lifestyle, with more people going on holiday and deliberately increasing their exposure to strong sunlight, are partly responsible for an increase in malignant skin cancers. In order to minimize the risk of contracting skin cancer, cover exposed skin with clothing or with a suitable sunscreen or sun cream, wear a hat, and wear UV-certified sunglasses to protect the eyes." (Protection of the Ozone Layer, 5 December 2008). It is high time that all the individuals react, else life on Earth is ought to become a big question mark.

References

Global Warming: Early Warning Signs. In Climate Hot Map. Retrieved on 1 December 2008 at http://www.climatehotmap.org/

Introduction to Ozone. In Introduction to Climate. Retrieved on 5 December 2008 at http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_5_1.htm

Ozone Depletion. In Think Quest. Retrieved on 5 December 2008 at http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/ozone_depletion.html

Ozone. In Study World. Retrieved on 5 December 2008 at http://www.studyworld.com/newsite/ReportEssay/Science/Earth%5COzone.htm

Protection of the Ozone Layer. In Environment. Retrieved on 5 December 2008 at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ozone/ozone_layer.htm

The Green House Effect FAQ. In Earth Science. Retrieved on 5 December 2008 at http://www.moorlandschool.co.uk/earth/greenhou.htm#q13

Ozone Layer