Depleted Ozone Layer Essay, Research Paper

The Potential Effects of a Depleted Ozone Layer

“And God said, let there be light and there was light and then God saw the

light, that it was good ” ( Genesis 1: 3-4 ). Undoubtedly, light is good.

Without light man could not survive. Light is the ultimate cosmic force in this

universe allowing man to progress and flourish. In the form of heat, light from

the sun warms the Earth. Light, also, is the single most important factor

influencing the growth and development of plants. Photosynthesis, a process by

which plants incorporate light from the sun, allow plants to botanically grow

and survive. Certain forms of light are harmful and thus can be said are ‘bad’.

A natural umbrella called the ozone layer protects the Earth and its inhabitants

by screening out this harmful light. For ” millions of years ozone has been

protecting the earth ” by absorbing ultraviolet or bad radiation from the sun (

Rowland, 1992, p.66 ). This natural umbrella protecting mankind has recently

suffered the effects of industrialized society. This ” ozone shield is

dissipating ” and the cause is laid primarily to man – made chemicals

( Bowermaster et al, 1990, p.27 ). If enough of these man – made

chemicals are released, ” the ozone layer would be weakened to such an extent

that it does not filter out the sun’s invisible and dangerous ultraviolet rays ”

( Jones, 1992, p.36 ). Such a scenario would drastically alter society and the

environment. Ozone depletion has been described as ” potential

catastrophe ” and ” a planetary time – bomb ” ( Way, 1988, p.9 ). The four main

areas affected by a depleted ozone layer and thus by the corresponding increase

in harmful ultraviolet radiation are agriculture, wildlife, the environment, and

human health. A depleted ozone layer has a profoundly negative and potentially

devastating effect on humanity and its surroundings.

From an agricultural perspective, a diminished ozone layer poses great

risks. Since man’s evolution from ‘man the hunter and gatherer’ to ‘man the food

producer’ , mankind has grown ever more dependent on his surroundings. In the

case of food production man relies greatly on these surroundings. The land on

which man attempts to grow food for himself, and certainly for others as well,

has sufficed for thousands of years. The crops grown on his land have provided

thousands with food to eat in the ancient world, millions with food to eat in

the medieval world, and billions with food to eat in the present world.

Regrettably, there have always been times of hunger and shortages. More

frighteningly, in the present world man is confronted with a population boom

which is burgeoning near the six billion mark. It is now more important than

ever to protect, maintain, and hopefully increase the amount of food grown. One

of the drawbacks of industrialization has been the significant depletion of the

ozone layer. This depletion could have an incredibly devastating impact on the

world and more specifically agriculture. In general, ” plants are quite

sensitive and fragile when confronted with ultraviolet increases ” ( Zimmer,

1993, p.28 ). Words such as sensitivity and fragility only add to the urgency of

the possible agricultural holocaust. One agricultural scientist remarked, ”

soybeans, tomatoes, tobacco, potatoes, corn, beans, and wheat are all especially

sensitive to UV light ” ( Jones, 1992, p.39 ). Since most of the mentioned crops

are considered cash crops the economic aspect of lower crop yields could also

spell disaster. Food supplies are surely in jeopardy when taking in to account

that ” more than two – thirds of the plant species – mainly crops – tested for

their reaction to ultraviolet light have been found to be damaged by it ” ( Lean

et al, 1990, p.97 ). An increase in ultraviolet light radiating towards plants

accelerates the pace at which man must decide what to do with the dilemma of a

booming and more importantly hungry population. Conceedingly, plants, as any

element of life, have been known to adapt to contemporary and dangerous changes

in its surroundings but it cannot be dismissed that ” UV radiation can also

mutate the genes of plants ” which are the fundamental building blocks of all

life ( Bowermaster et al, 1990, p.44 ). Interference with the foundations of

life can also lead to calamity and more importantly a yet foreseen and unknown

calamity. In 1988, then U.S. Interior secretary Donald Hoedel ” proposed coping

with ozone depletion by simply wearing sunglasses and hats ” but what Hoedel

doesn’t understand is that plants lack the ability to wear such human – like

possessions ( Bowermaster et al, 1990, p.31 ). With an ever – increasing

population it is critical to act or react to the ozone depletion saga in

mankind’s midst. More importantly there are and foreseeably will be even more

heralded environmental issues which need to be addressed. The ozone depletion

story can seen as a warning sign to humanity exposing the fact that the earth

can only endure a certain amount of hardship before it will surrender to the

onslaught of industrial might. One author explains the gravity of the situation

by pointing out, ” There’s only one atmosphere and once that is gone who knows ”

( Cox, 1994, p.546 ). Agriculturally, a depletion in the ozone layer could lead

to economic and societal ruin for many.

In addition to having a profound potential effect on agriculture, a

depleted ozone layer affects wildlife in the same indiscriminate manner. Since

ozone depletion leads to increases in harmful UV light, it comes as no surprise

that this ‘bad’ light would affect the various forms of life on Earth other than

plants. Marine life is currently the most affected by increases in UV light

associated with ozone depletion. ” There has been speculation that this UV could

cause a population collapse in the marine food chain, especially in

phytoplankton ” ( Zimmer, 1993, p.28 ). Phytoplankton, are free floating aquatic

plants which ” are the mainstay of the oceanic food chain ” ( Lemonick, 1992,

p.43 ). Concerning phytoplankton, ” it has been shown through laboratory

experiments that UV-A and UV-B do indeed inhibit phytoplankton photosynthesis ”

( Zimmer, 1993, p.28 ). Since phytoplankton occupy such a strategic position in

the aquatic food chain, interference with phytoplanktic photosynthesis affects

the growth, development, and reproductive aspects of all marine life. Scientists

agree that ” right now, the lowest levels of life are being hit hardest ” by the

increase in ultraviolet light ( Rowland, 1992, p.36 ). If the lowest levels of

marine life, being phytoplankton, are oppressed by increases in UV light,

species relying on the phytoplankton for sustenance cannot be far behind in

suffering the effects of a ravaged food chain. One of the species which relies

on the phytoplankton is krill which are shrimplike – vegetarians of the seas

which in turn are a principle source of sustenance for whales and the like. If

krill were to be harvested as a food resource for mankind it has been said that,

” a krill harvest would provide us with the same amount of food as 10% of the

global annual fish catch ” ( Boisseau, 1987, p.4 ). Clearly, if the location of

krill were more available to man, than being mostly confined to polar water

regions, another principal food resource could be added to man’s long list of

them. Another important feature involved in a decline in phytoplankton numbers

and productivity is the fact that ” phytoplankton helps produce and recycle

the world’s oxygen supply ” ( Bowermaster et al, 1990, p.40 ). An increase in

ultraviolet light can thus endanger an entire ecosystem without necessarily

killing off the masses. By altering the respiratory balance in an ecosystem a

variety of species would be affected. Furthermore, the same oxygen recycled by

phytoplankton is breathed by all animals and man himself thus adding to the

importance of the threatened oceanic food chain. A weakened ozone umbrella

could also have a tremendous impact on wildlife.

Moreover, in support of devastating impact on the crops and animals, a

diminished ozone layer has been associated with environmental damage and concern.

The potential effect on the earth’s climate systems and weather is another

negative aspect joined at the hip with a weakened ozone shield. The ozone layer

is located in the stratosphere ” 15 – 50 km above the earth’s surface ” and

plays a key role in the development of weather patterns (

Boisseau, 1987, p.7 ). ” When stratospheric ozone intercepts UV light, heat is

generated. This heat helps create stratospheric winds, the driving force behind

weather patterns ” ( Lemonick, 1992, p.42 ). By changing the amount of

ozone in the atmosphere, through man – made chemical interference, the regular

wind patterns are affected. Ultimately, ” a diminished ozone layer will help

heat up the atmosphere, adding to the threat of global warming ” ( Bowermaster,

1990, p.33 ). Convincingly, climatologists have noted that, ” Weather

patterns have already begun to change over Antarctica ” ( Lemonick, 1992, p.42

). ” Virtually all the CFCs and halons that have ever been released are still in

the atmosphere ” ( Jones, 1992, p.39 ). This means that all the potent ozone

destroyers which indirectly cause an increase in harmful ultraviolet light are

still in the atmosphere accomplishing their chemically destructive tasks.

Moreover, this destructive process will continue in the sky for the CFC’s and

halon’s ” atmospheric lifetime of between 70 and 150 years ” ( Brune et al, 1992,

p.38 ). The changing weather patterns and global warming will continue to exist

as long as this ozone depletion is still occurring. Ozone replenishes itself

naturally but ” it will take the entire 21st century to return to pre – CFC

levels ” ( Rowland, 1992, p.67 ). Ozone destruction has left an

indelible mark on the atmosphere and will continue to do so for at least

another century. The depletion of the ozone layer has a potential catastrophic

effect towards the environment.

Furthermore, a diminished ozone layer provides man with another of his

already many viable health concerns. Man continually strives to better his

health and tries desperately to stave off his self – acknowledged mortality. One

of the many health concerns brought to light in wake of the ozone depletion

story is cataracts. Cataracts is a medical condition in which the lens of the

eye deteriorates causing blurriness and even blindness. Statistics show that ”

if the ozone layer is depleted by 1%, 100, 000 people worldwide would be blinded

” ( Brune et al, 1992, p.39 ). In addition to higher rates of cataracts, rates

of skin cancer have also been linked to increased ultraviolet light in recent

years. ” On a population wide – basis the connection between ultraviolet

exposure and an increased risk of skin cancer have been established beyond

question ” ( Cox, 1994, p.546 ). Admittedly, some of the recent increases in

skin cancer rates can be attributed to the growth in popularity and fascination

with tanning and sun bathing but another, and more convincing statistic states,

” In the 1930s, Canadians had one chance in 3500 of getting melanoma. In the

1990’s, the chance is one in 100. ” ( Brune et al, 1992, p.38 ) Most forms of

skin cancer are not serious, but ” melanoma is fatal but in only 20 percent of

the cases. ” ( Rowland, 1992, p.66 ) One doctor simplifies the matter

by noting, ” Increased UV radiation has a negative effect on all biology. ” (

Boisseau, 1988, p.8 ) All biology having been pertained to all life without

consequence to size, type, or location. Another negative effect of increased

ultraviolet radiation is its link to immunological drawbacks. According to the

World Resources Institute, ” A diminished ozone layer may also make people more

vulnerable to a variety of infectious diseases like malaria ” ( Bowermaster et

al, 1990, p.31 ). Scientists agree that they ” already know that ultraviolet

light can impair immunity to infectious diseases in animals ” ( Lemonick, 1992,

p.41 ). Since it has been determined that immuno – effects have occurred in

animals it cannot be preposterous to assume a similar effect can be set upon

humanity which is genetically and historically, according to Darwinists, related

to the animal kingdom. Immunological processes are carried out at the cellular

level just as any other life processes supporting the notion that ” ultraviolet

light carries enough energy to damage DNA and thus disrupt the working of the

cells ” ( Lemonick, 1989, p.41 ). Furthermore, a U.N. research team

stated increases in ultraviolet light ” speed up the onset of the AIDS virus ” (

Brune et al, 1992, p.32 ). Ultraviolet light reduces immune efficiency by ”

suppressing the production of antibodies, helping cancers to be established and

grow and increasing the susceptibility to herpes and leishmaniasis ” ( Lean et

al, 1990, p.97 ). A suppressed immune system is just one more of many health

concerns linked conclusively to a depleted ozone layer and the resultant UV

increases. The medical ramifications of increased UV light is another effect

linked to the ecological ‘lit fuse’ we call ozone depletion.

Ozone layer depletion possesses a potentially catastrophic cargo of

harmful ultraviolet light concerning mankind and the planet Earth. Agriculture,

wildlife, the environment and human health are all aspects of the planet Earth

which are affected by a dramatic loss in atmospheric ozone stability. In the

name of progress and societal advancement, mankind has released millions of

tonnes of potent ozone destroyers in the last sixty years. The immediate

scientific result of a depleted ozone layer is an increase in the amount of

harmful ultraviolet light which reaches the Earth’s surface. Historically,

mankind has endured atrocity, calamity, and ferocity. In terms of the

environment, it too has endured. Environmental endurance is tested regularly at

the benefits of society. What makes man man is his ability to survive and

repair the damage he has done. Al Gore defined man’s relationship with the sky

in posing the frightening question, ” What will it do to our children’s outlook

on life if we have to teach them to be afraid to look up? ” ( Lemonick, 1992,

p.40 ). If the ozone layer can be freed from the clutches of chemical villainy,

only then can it be truly said once again ” let there be light ” and not worry

about the consequences.

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