Question

Write short note on ozone depletion and global warming.

Answer 1

Some pollutants in the atmosphere like chlorofluoro-carbons (CH3) cause the depletion of ozone layer. These CFCs and other similar ‘gases when reach to the stratosphere they are broken down by the ultraviolet radiation and as a result they liberate free atoms of chlorine or bromine. These atoms are highly reactive with ozone and disrupt the stratospheric chemistry. The reactions deplete ozone layer.

Due to depletion of ozone layer, the Earth is exposed to the ultra-violate radiation. These rays cause harmful effect to living beings on the Earth. It affects process of photosynthesis in plants. Rise in the temperature, various skin diseases, decrease of immunity etc are the probable results.

For the protection of ozone layer, Vienna Conference in March, 1985 was held. In September 1987, Montreal Protocol was signed. This was followed by the Kyoto Protocol of 1997.

Answer 2

Answer:

Global warming and ozone layer depletion are two different problems (see the sidebar “Misconceptions about Global Atmospheric Change” on page 95). Global warming is caused by the “greenhouse effect,” which is essential to life as we know it on planet Earth. Electromagnetic energy coming from the sun is absorbed by the Earth, which radiates some of this energy outward as infrared energy (heat). Some of this infrared energy escapes into space, but much of it is absorbed by “greenhouse gases” in the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) and is radiated back to the Earth as heat energy.