Topic: Global Warming & Ozone Depletion
1. What is Global warming ?
Global warming is called the greenhouse effect because the gases that are gathering above the earth make the planet comparable to a greenhouse. By trapping heat near the surface of the earth, the greenhouse effect is warming the planet and threatening the environment. Global warming is an issue of the world's debating topic is that industrial growth coupled with non-structured methods we use to sustain ourselves has created a situation where our planet is getting progressively hotter. It is caused primarily from putting too much carbon into the atmosphere when coal, gas, and oil are burned to generate electricity or to run our cars. These gases spread around the planet like a blanket, capturing the solar heat that would otherwise be radiated out into space.
2. What is Ozone depletion ?
The ozone layer is being destroyed by certain industrial chemicals including ozone depleting refrigerants, halons, and methyl bromide, a deadly pesticide used on crops. Ozone depletion damage gets much worse when the stratosphere is very cold. This has been the case the past two years, causing extensive ozone depletion. This past winter, ozone depletion reached the most severe levels ever recorded over the Northern Hemisphere. Even if all of our efforts to stop harmful emissions are successful, the ozone layer is not expected to begin recovery until around 2020 at the earliest. Human beings action which made the ozone layer depleted is called ozone depletion.
3. What are greenhouse gases ?
Greenhouse gases are natural gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour and nitrous oxide which allow direct sunlight to reach the Earth’s surface unimpeded. Some greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others result from human activities such as burning of fossil fuel and coal. Man-made pollution are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) and many more.
4. Causes of global warming & ozone depletion
- Global warming are caused by human activities such as pollution. By doing so, they are contributing to global warming by adding excessive amount of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
- Ozone depletion are caused by the release of bromine and chlorine from the man-made compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). As the results, the compounds were destroying the ozone in the ozone layer.
5. Effects of global warming & ozone depletion.
- When global warming occurs, the temperature would change and the rise in sea level. When the temperature increases, droughts will occur. The rise of sea level would make floods occur. As the result, some diseases will return such as malaria.
- When ozone depletion occurs, it can cause skin cancer when the UV-B increase. Not only that, the environment will also be negatively effected as the life cycles of plants will change, disrupting the food chain. Besides that, the animal will be severe, the forests and deserts will also be harmed too. In addition, the planet’s climate will change. The oceans will hit hard and the wind patterns could change and resulting in climatic changes throughout the world.
6. Consequence of global warming & ozone depletion.
- Consequences of global warming is that it effects the human beings health which can bring them to death. Due to increase of temperature, they can suffer from dehydration, heatstroke and asthma. Not only that, global warming also result in longer droughts too.
- Consequence of ozone depletion is that there will be an increase of skin cancer if the ozone depletion increase in the UV levels.
7. Ways to reduce global warming & ozone depletion in Hillgrove Secondary School.
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program as one of our CIP.
- Use a compact fluorescent light for classrooms.
- Use energy efficient products or energy saving products.
- Close all switch if not using.
- Example, switch off the lights and fans if nobody in the classroom. - Plant trees or plants around the school.
So start saving the Earth now !