In the course of our day to day conversations, we often ask each other: What’s happening to our world? Why is our Planet suffering from a fever and is burning up? It is an established fact that the ozone layer which is a vital part of the Earth’s atmosphere is tearing apart. It is the earth’s sunscreen, a highly delicate fragile shield of gas protecting us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. If that is the truth, should we not do everything we can to protect it? Even though not visible to the naked eye, it protects us from the sun. It’s key for our survival: plants, animals, life itself. Ozone is a pale blue gas with a pungent smell that absorbs Ultra Violet (UV) light, reducing human exposure to harmful UV radiation that causes skin cancer and cataracts. When inhaled, it reacts chemically in the respiratory tract leading to a number of adverse health effects. Breathing ozone can shorten your life, causing premature death when combined with other risk factors. 16th September marks 3 decades when the General Assembly of the United Nations designated this day towards the preservation of the Ozone layer.
Like a sponge, the ozone layer absorbs bits of radiation piercing the Earth from the sun. Even though we need some of the Sunshine to live, excess of it can damage living beings. The ozone layer acts as a preventive shield for life on Earth.
Reduced ozone levels, as a result of ozone depletion means less protection from the sun’s rays and more exposure to UV radiation at the Earth’s surface. This radiation directly affects the developmental processes of plants. It has also been found to cause damage to early developmental and growth stages of fish, shrimps, crabs, amphibians, and other marine animals. The most severe effects are decreased reproductive capacity and impaired larval development. Small increases in UV exposure could result in population reductions for small marine organisms with implications for the entire marine life as well as disrupting the food chain. The ozone layer is a region of high ozone concentration. 90% of Ozone is found in the stratosphere, which begins about 16-17 kms., above Earth’s surface and extends upto 50 Kms. altitude. Compared to other gases in the atmosphere, ozone is pretty rare. According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this gas is extremely rare in the atmosphere representing just three molecules of ozone for every ten million molecules of air!
Ozone is really good at trapping a type of radiation called ‘ultra violet light’. The ozone layer acts as an invisible cover and protects us from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The ozone layer protects us from the UV radiation, known as UV-B, which causes sunburn. Long term exposure to high levels of UV-B threatens human health and damages most animals, plant life and microbes, so the ozone layer indeed protects all life on Earth. The ozone layer is one layer of the stratosphere. The stratosphere gets its name because it is stratified, or layered. As elevation increases, the stratosphere suffers from increased levels of heat because with elevation the ozone gases in the upper layers are exposed to intense heat/radiation.
Ostensibly, we have made a lot of progress. But on our onward march, we should remember to work together to protect the ozone layer for the future. While scientists find new solutions and create earth friendly products, we should realize there are things which we can all do, like buying products that are labelled “ozone-friendly.”
Healing the ozone layer will be a major task for mankind to be accomplished. We must also look towards the future, and decide NOW how to deal with other global environmental challenges as well. The message is clear: When people and countries around the world come together united by a common goal, we can solve seemingly impossible problems. That is surely a cause for great optimism and jubilation as we contemplate the various programmes and measures our global community is prepared to undertake
The slogan, ‘Ozone for life’, reminds us that not only is ozone crucial for life on Earth, but that we must continue to steadfastly protect the ozone layer for future generations. Ozone is like a mother to the earth: who protects her child from harmful onslaught of radiation. Let’s save our mother earth on the world ozone day. Earth without ozone is like a house without a roof. High Ozone concentrations generally occur in summer when the air is stagnant, and the sun’s rays shine directly on the earth’s surface. Recently speaking out on environmental issues Pope Francis passionately asserted that climate change is a “road to death” and that the world is approaching a “point of no return”. He lamented that his generation has left behind many riches but has done little to protect the planet. He called for a transition to clean energy.
Ozone in the air we breathe can harm our health, especially when the ozone concentration can reach unhealthy levels. Ozone layer damage is thinnest near the poles, especially the South Pole. It is an established fact that the largest hole - spans more than 8 million square miles on a consistent basis since 1992, and it appears annually over Antarctica between the months of September and November. We must look at this phenomenon as a kind of skywriting. Perhaps it is instructing us to work together to protect the global environment. It is pertinent to know a collection of human made greenhouse gases known as ozone depleting substances (ODS) can be found in everyday products such as air conditioners, refrigerators, in aerosol sprays, medical devices and foam blowing agents.
They destroy the ozone layer. The oxides and dioxides of sulphur and nitrogen released while burning fireworks are not only harmful to human health, but also harm the environment by depleting the ozone layer, besides causing massive noise pollution and piling up toxic waste.
Besides, manufactured chemicals, industrial processes and emissions have threatened the ozone layer. Sustained recovery of the ozone layer will require a programme of worldwide phase-out of ozone-depleting substances. This will help slow down global warming. Each year, world Ozone day has a specific theme that reflects current issues and goals related to ozone layer protection. The theme for 2024 is ‘Ozone for Life’ - celebrating the Ozone layer and addressing climate change. In the last few decades, we have witnessed remarkable cooperation between nations to take a united stand. This incredible achievement means that in another few decades, we could see a complete healing of the ozone layer. On this World Ozone Day, let’s commit to making peace with our planet. Let’s commit to build on the success of the Montreal Protocol to show what international cooperation at its best can achieve.
(The writer is a social
scientist and a senior
practicing criminal lawyer)