The strength of our country lies on the proper balance between physicaland environmental factors. It is not enough to use or utilize the naturalresources but it is more important how we conserved and preserved God`s givenfacilities to us.
As a citizen, we are responsible to maintain and safeguard our habitat.But an the contrary, devastation of forest, pollution in bodies of water and even In the atmosphere exists. Why does it happen? Each one of us is a contributor inThe destruction of our Mother Earth. It is the ozone layer that is greatlyAffected.
What is ozone layer and why is it important to all living creatures onearth?
The ozone layer is a thin, fragile shield that envelops the earth andefficiently and effectively filters and serving 90% of the sun harmfulultraviolet radiation (UV-B) and completely screens out lethal ultraviolet-Cradiation (UV-C). It is located 20-40 km above the earth`s surface.
Damage to ozone layer will naturally mean the entry of harmful UV rays,into the atmosphere. As a result of ozone depleting substances (ODS). ODS areman-made compounds, containing chlorine, and Bromine, particularlychlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and methyl bromide.
As human beings, we enjoy the products of modern world. But time comes,it alarmed us for the depletion of the ozone layer is now observed and itseffect is gradually experienced. It is because of refrigerants, domestic,commercial transport, blowing agents, fire extinguishers, fumigants, feedstockfor chemical synthetic and many others.
The increased of UV-B affects our lives and our environment such as cropdamage, malnutrition, weakened immune system, cancer, acute eye defects andcataract. On water, UV-B radiation penetrates the ocean floor damaging thepropagation of phytoplankton organisms, the primary food source of most
marine life. Fish eggs and young plants are particularly susceptible to damage. Itaffects the marine food and the end, the human food chain.
With all the above mentioned adverse effects of ozone layer depletion,Can we do something about it? Can we save our ozone layer? We definitely can.Let us just combat the environmental woes by joining hand in our campaign for a healthy Mother Earth.
By: Ms. Socorro P. Siton | Lamao, Limay, Bataan
