O-zone Depletion Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

O-zone Depletion - Research Paper ExampleIn this context the problem of ozone depletion can be explored. The ozone layer can be thought of as a giant sunshade that covers around 9 to 19 miles above Earth surface protecting the plants and animals of the background from the hurtful ultraviolet B rays (U.V B) radiated by the Sun. Stratosphere contains Ozone (O3) in the form of a layer surrounding it. The stratospheric frustrate is around 30 miles above the surface of the earth. The libelous U.V rays are absorbed by the ozone layer that prevents it from get in the earth surface. However, if and when ozone is found on the earth surface, it can act as a truly harmful pollutant. Moreover, ozone is responsible for the greenhouse effect. (Ozone DepletionLosing Earths Protective Layer, n.d.) This paper attempts at discussing the underlying causes and effects of Ozone depletion and tries to submit a comparative study of the various environmental policies taken to combat the problems rela ted to ozone layer depletion and its accomplishable solutions. Causes and Effects of Ozone Depletion In recent years, ozone layer depletion has been a subject of concern for the scientists. Ozone layer depletion was first observed in the 1980s with Antarctica being the earliest of the victims. Ozone depletion in stratosphere is being considered the foremost problem regarding environmental degradation, which threatens the very existence of life on the planet. A large stratospheric hole had been discovered just above Antarctica which is change magnitude everyday letting the harmful U.V B rays to enter the earth surface which is resulting in elevating the risk of undress cancer, immunological and genetic damages and cataracts in the eyes. It is also causing skin burns in whales and large damage to essential food crops such as wheat, rice etc., and increase in production of harmful vitamin D. Moreover, impact of anthropocentric activities in the troposphere and stratosphere has bee n on the rise, which also results in depletion of ozone layer. This has allowed Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) like halocarbon refrigerants (CFCs, halons, freons) emanated from man made cars and factories to grasp the stratosphere and degrade it further. The halocarbons are chemically photo dissociated and enabled to release halogens, which through a series of chain reactions destabilizes ozone and converts it to atomic number 8 (Melott & Thomas, 2011). In the past one and a half decade some measures have been undertaken in footing of international protocols and policies in order to combat this environmental threat.To understand and improve upon these measures an evaluation of these policies and protocols might help. multinational protocols and their evaluation Kyoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol treaty comprises of a set of rules by United Nations Framework principle on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiated at Kyoto, Japan in 19th of December 1997 agreed five dollar bill years back at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and have been operational since 16th of February, 2005. It is a legally binding protocol according to which the industrialized nations would have to make a cut in their collective emissions of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases by 5.2%and were expected to veer emissions by 29% within 2010.The aim was to reduce overall emissions of six main harmful greenhouse gases including methane, CFC and nitrous oxide, calculated over a 5- year period average of