Question
You have been selected to talk on “ozone layer and its protection” in the school assembly on ‘Environment Day.’
(a) Why should ozone layer be protected to save the environment?
(b) List any two ways that you would stress in your talk to bring in awareness amongst your fellow friends that would also help in the protection of ozone layer as well as the environment.
Solution
a) Ozone layer as a protective layer. The ozone layer in the stratosphere is very useful to human beings because it absorbs the major part of harmful ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun. Therefore, it is called protective layer.
b) The depletion of ozone causes the harmful UV rays to reach the earth and this has resulted in increased incidence of skin cancers in humans. UV rays may also cause genetic mutations in living organisms.
To limit the damage to the ozone layer, the release of CFCs into the atmosphere must be reduced. CFCs used as refrigerants and in fire extinguishers should be replaced with environmentally-safe alternatives. Also, the release of CFCs through industrial activities should be controlled.
b) The depletion of ozone causes the harmful UV rays to reach the earth and this has resulted in increased incidence of skin cancers in humans. UV rays may also cause genetic mutations in living organisms.
To limit the damage to the ozone layer, the release of CFCs into the atmosphere must be reduced. CFCs used as refrigerants and in fire extinguishers should be replaced with environmentally-safe alternatives. Also, the release of CFCs through industrial activities should be controlled.
