Skip to main content

What does the ozone layer protect and shield the organisms on Earth from?

The ozone layer protects and shields the organisms on Earth from ultraviolet light from the sun. It sits in the stratosphere, around nine miles above the surface of the earth. Basically, ozone molecules in the stratosphere absorb ultraviolet light, an excess of which can be extremely harmful to living things, including plants and animals (the fact that it causes skin cancer is why we should wear sunscreen when exposed to the sun). For many years,...

The ozone layer protects and shields the organisms on Earth from ultraviolet light from the sun. It sits in the stratosphere, around nine miles above the surface of the earth. Basically, ozone molecules in the stratosphere absorb ultraviolet light, an excess of which can be extremely harmful to living things, including plants and animals (the fact that it causes skin cancer is why we should wear sunscreen when exposed to the sun). For many years, scientists warned that certain chemicals containing chlorine atoms, especially CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) used as propellants in aerosols, were actually eroding the ozone layer by destroying ozone molecules. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these problems persist, despite increasing evidence that ozone depletion is causing "holes" over the Antarctic that threaten to expose the planet to dangerous levels of ultraviolet rays from the sun. Ozone depletion, along with climate change, remains among the most serious environmental challenges of the twenty-first century.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more