The Impending Ozone Hole: What We Can Do To Protect Ourselves
The ozone layer protects us from the effects of ultraviolet radiation. The hole in the ozone layer is a sign that we are getting dangerously close to the point when we will be dealing with harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation. This article discusses what we can do to protect ourselves from this issue, and how our future depends on it. What is the Impending Ozone Hole? The ozone layer, which protects Earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun, is being destroyed by the release of pollutants such as chlorofluorocarbons. The chemicals break down in the atmosphere, releasing chlorine and fluorine which react with oxygen to form ozone. Since the early 1980s, when scientists began to notice an increase in chlorine levels in the atmosphere, scientists have been warning us of the dangers posed by the ozone hole. However, despite all of our efforts, the hole is growing larger each year. If we don't take action to prevent it, by 2020, 95% of the stratospheric ozone will have