The plant that we live in is surrounded by different layers of gases. The one which is present at the outermost layer is known as ozone layer. It helps in trapping the harmful ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun and thus, protects us from its harmful effects.
Essay on Ozone Layer | Importance of Ozone Layer Essay
The ozone layer is a thin layer present in the upper atmosphere of the earth. It is made up of gas called ozone (O3) and is located about 20 to 30 kilometers above the surface of the earth. The main function of this layer is to protect us from harmful ultraviolet radiations coming directly from the sun. These UV rays can cause various health problems like skin cancer, cataracts, etc.
The ozone layer was discovered in the year 1913 by two French physicists named Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson. They found that there was a region in the upper atmosphere where the oxygen molecules were being split into individual atoms by the ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun. These atoms further combined with other oxygen molecules to form ozone molecules.
Importance of Ozone Layer
The ozone layer is of crucial importance. It protects us from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun which are responsible for various skin diseases, cancer, cataract & other skin diseases. It also affects the growth and development of plants. The depletion of ozone layer is thus a matter of great concern as it can have disastrous consequences on our health and environment.
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Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion:
There are many causes of Ozone Layer depletion:
Green House effect:
The increased emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, etc. from various human activities like burning of fossil fuels, industrialization, etc. is one of the major causes of ozone layer depletion. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming which leads to the breakdown of ozone molecules.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs):
The use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in various daily use products like refrigerators, air conditioners, etc is also one of the major causes of ozone depletion. These chemicals are released into the atmosphere and react with ozone molecules leading to their breakdown.
The depletion of ozone layer is a matter of great concern as it can have harmful effects on human health, animals, plants and even the earth’s climate. The ultraviolet radiations can cause skin cancer, cataracts and other problems in human beings. It can also adversely affect the growth of plants and animals.
Steps to Protect Ozone Layer
There are various measures which have been taken to prevent the depletion of ozone layer. Some of them are;
1. Promoting Renewable Energy:
The use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, etc. can help in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
2. Reducing the Use of CFCs:
The use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) should be reduced as they are one of the major cause of ozone layer depletion.
Creating Awareness:
2. Creating awareness about the importance of ozone layer and the need to protect it can go a long way in saving this important resource.
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Conclusion
Therefore, it can be concluded that the ozone layer is a very important part of our environment and its depletion can have harmful consequences. We need to take measures to prevent its depletion