Causes and Effects of Climate Change Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Causes and Effects of Climate Change - Assignment Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that the stratosphere has been identified as an atmospheric layer which is essential for survival on Earth because it contains ozone gas (O3) which forms the ozone layer protecting the earth from ultraviolet radiations of the Sun. The depletion of this ozone layer can lead to the entry of these harmful radiations into the surface of the earth and these radiations have many harmful effects which range from DNA and RNA damage in humans to the disturbance of even the marine life. Thinning of this layer has been found to be associated with skin cancers, cataracts, and weakening of the immunity. It can damage the ecological balance because it will not only disturb marine life but there is evidence that it might even affect crops. The stratosphere is sensitive to atmospheric pollutants which include chlorofluorocarbons, chlorocarbons, and halon compounds. Because of increased environmental pollution and the emission of these ha rmful compounds into the atmosphere by the industries and other sources which include the emissions from cars, refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosols, the stratospheric ozone has been depleting gradually. The reason behind this is that these gases react with the ozone gas and initiate a cascade which destroys numerous ozone molecules. The greenhouses gases constitute less than one percent of the atmosphere. They include carbon dioxide, ozone, and water vapor. Thirty percent of the solar energy is reflected back before it even enters the last surface of the earth and a significant amount of energy that reaches the earth is also reflected back. This energy is the infrared radiation. This radiation is taken up by the greenhouse gases before it escapes the troposphere thus leading to a warming effect which is known as the greenhouse effect.