Ozone Layer Depletion By: Jack Rosenfeld, Adam Dancing, Sofia Montgomery, and Ana Stevens

CFCs Destroying the Ozone.  When the CFCs are released into the air it goes up and travels through the troposphere and then through the stratosphere and when it reaches the top of the stratosphere it hits the ozone and the chlorine molecules are poisonous so they spread and destroy the ozone.  One CFC molecule can destroy thousands of ozone molecules

What happens when the Ozone is gone?  So it would be a while before all life was threatened, maybe decades or even longer  These high energy radiations cause damage to DNA when they penetrate cells, causing many disorders including cancer. So we will definitely need some shielding to survive.  If it disappeared the ice caps would begin to melt and eventually flood the shore lines.

Wildlife Damage  The ozone is not only harming humans but it is also harming a large variety of sea animals. Many amphibians and small sea animals are in danger of extinction because of the harmful Ultra violet rays.  Amphibians and sea life that have gone extinct from ozone destruction and UV radiation are.... Gastrotheca lauzuricae, Hyla chlorostea, Eleutherodactylus zongoensis  Without these amphibians the earth could be in trouble. That's because the earth needs something called bio- diversity. Bio-diversity is the diverse amount of animals and species we have on the planet. with every animal that goes extinct the earths other animals enviornments become less livable places to be. Like a giant chain reaction.

Clean Air Act  The clean air act is the law that defines EPA’s responsibilities for protecting the nations air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer.  The clean air act requires that the U.S EPA has to set national health-based air quality standards to protect against common pollutants including ozone smog, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and particulate soot.  State governments must devise a clean up plan to meet the standards by a specific date. Above is a picture of smog covering the Philadelphia skyline. Here is a picture of solar powered wind mills which help in producing cleaner air.

Harmful Products  Spray paint  Hair spray  Air conditioners  Refrigerators  Fertilizer  Fire extinguishers

Myths about the Ozone  CFCs ARE HEAVIER THAN AIR, SO THEY CAN'T REACH THE OZONE LAYER  VOLCANOES AND THE OCEANS ARE CAUSING OZONE DEPLETION  NO LINK EXISTS BETWEEN OZONE DEPLETION AND HIGHER UV LEVELS  OZONE DEPLETION OCCURS ONLY IN ANTARCTICA

Solutions in the world  CFCs would remain in the stratosphere for another 100 years even if none were ever produced again.  In the Montreal Protocol, 30 nations worldwide agreed to reduce usage of CFCs and encouraged other countries to do so as well.  By the year 2000, the US and twelve nations in Europe have agreed to ban all use and production of CFCs.  Many other countries have signed treaties and written laws restricting the use of CFCs. Companies are finding substitutes for CFCs, and people in general are becoming more aware of the dangers of ozone depletion

Solutions you can do  Families could make sure that household appliances do not have any trace of CFCs in them. Similarly, people can check to see if the products they buy contain any CFCs in them.  Try to use products which are labeled "Ozone-Friendly"  Ensure technicians repairing your refrigerator or air conditioner recover and recycle the old CFCs so they are not released into the atmosphere.  Vehicle air conditioning units should regularly be checked for leaks.  Ask about converting your car to a substitute refrigerant if the a/c system needs major repair  Help start a refrigerant recovery and recycling program in your area if none already exists.  Replace halon fire extinguishers with alternatives (e.g. carbon dioxide or foam).  Suggest school activities to increase awareness of the problem and to initiate local action.