Pollution And Our World
Pollution has been a part of our world ever since we have begun using industrial products. Such things as cars, trucks, trains, factories and alot more contribute to the pollution in our world. As the pollution is destroying the ozone layer, more and more UV rays are hitting the earth therefore hurting us as well.
Human Activity=75% Natural Sources=20% Volcanic Eruptions=5% | Q. What is the ozone layer? A. The ozone layer is a deep layer in the stratosphere circling the earth that has a large amount of ozone in it. Ozone is a special form of oxygen made up of 3 oxygen atoms. The ozone layer protects Earth from the harmful UV radiation that the suns creates. Radiation actually forms the ozone layer. Its formed when some type of radiation and electrical charge seperates the two atoms. http://www.weatherquestions.com/What_is_the_ozone_layer.htm
Q. What causes holes in the ozone layer? A. The group of gases that contributes most to damaging the ozone layer are called CFC, or Chloro-Fluoro Carbons. CFC's are used in spray cans ,air conditioning and fire extinguishers. CFC's are used to push out the liquids found inside the can. CFC's are transported into the stratosphere where they are broken down by the UV rays from the sun, releasing free chlorine. The chlorine becomes a big part in the destruction of the ozone layer. Pollution also plays part in creating these holes. http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/kids/ozonehole.html Q.What are the effects due to the holes in the ozone layer? A. The ozone layer protects us from harmful UV rays so thinning it would be very dangerous for our health. Destroying the ozone layer would mean more UV rays would cause more sunburn which which could cause cancer increasing the death rate. Also it could be harmful to your eyes in some cases, resulting in blindness. UV rays could kill small animals in the ocean like plankton. Killing the plankton would mess up the food chain because they are the main source of food for whales and other sea creatures. Also large amounts of UV rays could damage all green plants. http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/kids/ozonehole.html
| Kyoto Treaty The Kyoto Treaty was a treaty made for controlling global warming linked to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The protocol said 39 industrialized nations must cut emmisions of six greenhouse gases to an averrage of 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by the period of 2008-2012. But it will not take effect untill its ratified by at least 55 percent of nations emitting at least 55 percent of the greenhouse gases. These gases include methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. And this negotiation was held in Japan. But the United States pulled out of this treaty. The United States pulled out of the treaty because President Bush feared that the treaty would lead to higher energy prices in the United States. He also didn't want to because the United States is facing an economic downturn and and energy shortage which would make things worse. Instead, Bush wants technology to have a leading role in cutting pollution. |
