When nature was yet untouched
When we created our own sunshine
When our moon was in its chuckling glory
When the pillage and desecration
had not been conceived by man
nature was healing nature was living
Nature was bethroted to man
But now nature bleeds
from wounds inflicted
from injuries sustained
Her back is stabbed
Her heart is pierced
by the one she swore to protect
By the one she loved the most
But she still beckons
Oh that her heartthrob
would retrace his steps
from being a threat to himself
and come rest again
In her own embrace
Nature is all of beauty and beauty is all of nature.
I remember the days of fresh and cool evening breeze which we so much looked forward to, especially after a hard day's job at the farmlands. We would simply revel in it, all cares and tiredness melting away with each waft of this coolness. We had the best of what nature had to offer.
Then the desecration started, the pillage continued and now the destruction which man invoked is here. And suddenly, the layer put in place by nature to protect us from the ultraviolet rays of the sun is facing depletion ....By man's activities and with dire consequences
This layer is called The Ozone Layer
What Is Ozone Layer?
The Ozone layer or Ozone Shield is a region of the Earth's Stratosphere that absorbs most of the sun's Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
This layer contains high concentrations of Ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere.
The Ozone layer is known to absorb 97-99% of the Sun's UV light, which otherwise would potentially damage exposed life forms near the surface
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Simply put, the Ozone layer stands between us and the Sun. We need the Sun's warmth to live in this cold earth but this sun also gives off harmful UV rays which causes skin cancer, amongst others. And also makes it difficult for plants to grow. The rays do not support life.
The earth's atmosphere comprises of many layers each playing a very crucial role. The first layer, the Troposphere is where a lot of human activities takes place.
Then the next layer is the stratosphere where the ozone layers reside . So the Ozone layer could be said to act as a buffer, absorbing the harmful rays so that it does not hurt life. Nature indeed is so cool!
Now this layer is being depleted..... And the culprit is Man.
It is largely caused by emissions of halogenated hydrocarbons produced by man.
CFCs, HCFCs ,halons, Carbon Tetrachloride and Methyl Bromide.
Do you know that the CFCs used in refrigerating, air-conditioning and plastic foam manufacturing were largely responsible for the rapid destruction of the Ozone layer.
The reactions involved in the processes of destruction are more than 100 , but it can be simplified in the following processes :
Cl + O3 -> ClO + O2
ClO + O -> Cl + O2
Net effect : O3 + O -> 2O2
The Chlorine atom acts as a catalyst ie it is not consumed in the reaction, so it destroys thousands of Ozone molecules before disappearing.
The bromide atom is even more destructive, about 10-100 times more destructive.
Effects/Consequences Of Ozone Depletion
1.skin Cancer : The most common is called Non-Melanoma which is as a result of exposures to UV radiation over a long period of time.
2.The Immune system : A person's defensive mechanism is the immune system and exposure to UV rays reduces the effectiveness of the immune system.
3.Affects aquatic ecosystem : 30% of human consumption of protein comes from the sea. Depletion in Ozone layer could lead to loss of phytoplanktons ( fish food) and subsequent loss in tonnes of fish per year.
3.Affects terrestrial ecosystem : For animals, UV rays damage plant growth, reduce tree growth, change flowering times. Makes plants more vulnerable to diseases and could lead to extinction of some species.
Some Solutions
- Replace halon-based fire extinguishers with others using foam.
- Check on the label of the products, which we buy at the supermarket, to report that they do not damage the ozone layer.
- Use your car only when necessary. The less we use our cars, the less pollutants we will emit into the atmosphere. Remember that burning fossil fuels breeds many substances that damage the ozone layer.
- Do not buy refrigerators or air conditioner equipment that use CFCs as refrigerant. Look for this information in the labels, or ask the supplier of the product directly.
- Do not use cleaning solvents containing CFCs or ammonia.
- Do not use sprays, and do not buy objects made of plastic foam (dry ice or freezer). If you receive these products as a fill of your mail packages, return them immediately to the sender. Low consumption of these products will discourage plastic foam manufacturers.
- Make yourself heard. Please show this post to your children, relatives, friends and neighbors.
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In conclusion, the Ozone layer depends on the UV-C rays from the sun to replenish itself but the contaminants from these chemicals prevents it from getting what it needs to protect the earth from harmful UV-B rays.
So I would say that the way forward is to be Nature-friendly, Eco-friendly, Environmental-friendly.
Thank you for stopping by my neighbourhood
Thanking 