THE OZONE LAYER, THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT, AND GLOBAL WARMING

BY BAZIRA HENRY J12B27/103 OTRITIA ANGELLO UBBI J12B27/609 OTEKAT SONI JACKLINE J12B27/605 NAMEE SARAH J12B27/504 UMULISA PROSSY J12B27/861 NASEJJE JUSTINE J12B27/505

THE OZONE LAYER

Ozone (O3) is a gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere. This gas is most concentrated in the ozone layer. The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere several miles above the surface of the earth. Although the ozone layer represents only a small fraction of the gases present in the atmosphere, it plays a vital role in shielding the earth from ultraviolet light from the sun.

Ozone layer formation

Importance of the ozone layer

Shield the earth from ultra violet radiation Without the ozone layer U.V light would come direct to the earth leading to the following; 1. diminishing of fish stocks 2. reduction in agriculture production 3. skin cancers 4. damages building materials

Ozone layer depletion

Causes of ozone layer depletion

The main cause of ozone depletion is the accumulation of various pollutants in the atmosphere e.g CFCs ( BCFS and halons )have been used in refrigeration, insulating foam and as industrial solvents. They are exposed to the air and transported by wind.

Consequences of ozone depletion

More harmful UV rays get to the earth which has the potential to cause more skin cancers.

Rice crops could be affected by ozone depletion. They depend on cyanobacteria for retention of nitrogen. Cyanobacteria are very sensitive to UV light, so the increase might kill them.

Consequences continue..
Plankton are also sensitive to UV light and could become extinct if UV light levels are too high. It is harmful to human health in the troposphere, as it can cause asthma attacks. It also affects rubber in car tyres.

Actions taken to protect the ozone layer

Through an international agreement known as the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, Governments have decided to eventually discontinue production of CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform (except for a few special uses), and developed more "ozone-friendly" substitutes.

Actions taken continue

The ozone layer is expected to recover over the next 50 years or so The Kyoto, Japan protocol calls for 5% reduction in carbon emissions bellow 1990 levels by 2012 It has two major options; 1.cap and trade control(pay for pollution) 2.voluntary limits(caring for the others)

The Green house effect.

Heating of the earth as a result of green house gases. The mechanism is named after the effect of solar radiation passing through glass and warming a greenhouse. The sun emits radiation of short wavelengths and high frequencies to the earth. The earths surface emits infrared radiation of long wavelengths and low frequencies.

GAS

SOURCES

% CONTRIBITION TO OZONE DEPLETION

CARBONDIOXIDE (Co2

fossil fuels, deforestation, cement production, plant decay, vehicles.

64%

METHANE

Anerobic decay of plants, natural gas wells, ruminant animals vehicles, soil denitrification, plant decay. power plants, industries, volcanoes, fossil fuels. .deforestation, fossil fuels, use of chlorinated compounds.

19%

NITROUS ACID

6%

SULPHUR HEXA FLOURIDE

4%

CHLOROFLOROCARBONS

11%

Mechanism of Green house effects.

As the suns rays travel through the atmosphere: Some energy is reflected back to space. Some is absorbed by clouds and gases like ozone. Some is reflected from the surface back to space On average about 51% of the suns radiation reaches the earths surface.

Importance of the Greenhouse Effect

It regulates the temperature of the earth and the atmosphere. The energy that reaches the earths surface is used in a number of processes e.g. heating of the ground surface, evaporation of water and plant photosynthesis. However, the industrial revolution and human activities e.g. the burning of fossil fuels and clearing of forests have greatly intensified the natural greenhouse effect causing global warming.

The green house effect

Global Warming
This refers to the arising average temperature of the earths atmosphere and oceans; it started to increase in the 19th century and is projected to keep going up. Since the early 20th century, Earth's average surface temperature has increased by about 0.8 C (1.4 F), with about two thirds of the increase occurring since 1980 .

Global warming cont...

. it is caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels o 6.4 C for their highest.

Short term effects of global warming

Rise in the sea levels Change the amount and pattern of precipitation Expansion of subtropical deserts. Retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice

Long term consequences

Extreme-weather events including heat waves, droughts and heavy rainfall, Species extinctions due to shifting temperature regimes, Changes in crop yields. Acidic rains Skin cancers

Solutions to Global Warming

Controlled deforestation Development of wind power plants. Energy generation using wind turbines. Utilizing geothermal energy for power, heating, and cooling. Recycling wastes. Advancement in Solar Energy Technology

Impending policy issues on global warming in Uganda

Tree planting Changing transport means (adopting bicycles) Fighting of traffic jam in Kampala Turning off heat after use. Use of much cleaner fuels if affordable Recycling of waste Use of energy saving options for cooking and lighting

References
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, A GLOBAL CONCERN 11th, 6th and 4th EDITIONS. Greenleapdelhi.com http://zebu.oregon.edu