The Ozone layer protects the Earth from harmful ultra-violet rays emitted from the Sun.
Ultra-violet rays cause:
- Skin cancer
- Cataracts
- Damage to vegetation
Depletion
One of the Planetary Boundaries.
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Chemicals (chlorofluorocarbons) that we used as refrigerants, as solvents, propellants move up the atmosphere (chlorine, bromine) and breaking ozone molecules apart, thereby depleting the stratospheric layer.
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Montreal protocol in the mid-1980s instrumental to stop depletion and move towards a safe operating space
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But we still have to be careful
- Methane also affects the ozone layer (Factory Farming - Food Systems)
Created on: 2021-01-08 Inspired by: Course - Planetary Boundaries Related: biosphere stewardship |