Hole in the Ozone Layer

Four decades have passed since the discovery of the hole in the ozone layer above the Earth, but until now it is still growing bigger and bigger. We know the cause and we also know what to be done, but many still do not anticipate the gravity and consequence of the said problem.

Global warming and climate change is already the topic of so many symposia, but still the problem exist and it will take years or decades to close the said hole in outer space. So to help people understand the situation, I will try to make this blog about our environmental problems and some solutions so that at least more people would understand that we have to move fast to avoid a disastrous future to our young generation and the generations to come.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the government agency directly involved in finding solutions to this problem. But of course, they need the help of other agencies such as the Bureau of Customs, PNP Maritime Group, Philippine Navy Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Local Government Units to implement whatever laws the government has created to address the situation.

For the past several years the DENR, the lead government agency, has been conducting symposia in various parts of the country to make the people well informed about the urgency of the need to solve the problem. In one of their symposium at the Holiday Plaza Hotel, at F. Ramos St., Cebu City on August 29 to 30, 2006, the topic was about "National Orientation on Combatting the Illegal Trade of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) which I will share with you today.


What is OZONE?  Ozone is a gas that is naturally present in the atmosphere. It is a molecule made up of three ozone molecules. It's chemical symbol is O3.

What is OZONE LAYER? The Ozone Layer is a thin, fragile shield that envelops the entire earth which effectively and efficiently filters and screens almost all of the harmful ultraviolet rays. There are three categories of UV: UV-A is ble to reach the earth's surface. 90% of UV-B is blocked off by the ozone layer. While 100% of UV-C is blocked off by the ozone layer.

How is OZONE created and destroyed? What filters the dangerous radiation from the sun that could practically burn all life on earth is the OZONE LAYER.

OZONE CREATION. Ozone molecules are created and destroyed high above the surface of the earth, about 20-40 km above ground.

What is the OZONE HOLE? The depletion or the loss of the blocking effect of the ozone layer against ultraviolet rays is what we call the OZONE HOLE, was discovered in the early 1980's.
 
The largest Ozone Hole.is the size of North America. Although the ozone hole is found in the Antartica, the global ozone level throughout the stratosphere has also decreased by 3% every decade.

The largest ozone hole is found in Antartica because: ODS are present throughout the atmosphere regardless of where they are released. The symmetry of the land of Antartica affects the very cold climate. The temperature leads to chemical changes that promote the production of chemically active chlorine and bromine from ODS.

What are the effects of OZONE DEPLETION? Ozone depletion allows the entry of UV-B radiation whose effect causes: more skin cancers, more eye cataracts, weakened immune systems, reduced plant yields, damage to ocean eco-systems and and reduced fishing yields, and more damage to plastics and other building materials.

What are Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and their uses? Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) are used in refrigerators, airconditioners, spray cans, solvents, foams, other applications. While Halons are primarily used in fire extinguishers.

How can the Ozone Layer be saved? The ozone layer can be saved only by phasing out the use of ozone depleting substances.

Five (5) Things Consumers must remember to help save the Ozone Layer.

          1.  Check the labels of consumer goods and patronize ODS alternatives.
          2.  Patronize metered-dose inhalers (used by asthma patients) that do not contain CFC's.
          3.  Support service shops tht are classified by the DTI to ensure that their technicians are capable of   handling refrigerants  and are not recharging their aircons or refs with incompatible refrigerants.
          4.  Owners of cars with non-CFC aircon systems, do not back-convert or change your system into CFC-12 or R-12.
          5.  Owners of cars with R-12, retrofit or change your aircon system to an alternative system (R-134a or HC).

OZONE DEPLETION and GLOBAL WARMING. Ozone depletion and global warming are often misconceived as one and the same, but the heat generated from the two phenomena are different.

Global warming refers to an increase in the Eart's temperature causing changes in climate.

While the greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature in the Earth because greenhouse gases in the atmosphere traps energy from the sun.