Ozone Depletion

1. Ozone Depletion • Ozone Layer: A form of oxygen gas that makes up a layer of the stratosphere, where it filters out UV radiation from the sun. • The production and emission of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) is the leading cause of depletion. • A Chlorine atom is removed from the CFC and attracts 1 of the 3 oxygen atoms in the ozone molecules. • CFC’s can come from cooling systems, fire extinguishers, Styrofoam containers, home insulation, plastic foam, and throwaway food containers.

2. The Antarctic Hole • Stratospheric ozone hole discovered in 1975 by Sherwood Roland and Mario Molina. • Reappeared every year since then during the Antarctic winter. • In 2000, it covered an area larger than the U.S., Canada, and Mexico combined, which is approximately 11.4 million square miles. • The hole intensifies in September, and as a result, in 2000, it extended over a city of about 120,000 people in southern Chili.

3. Ecological Impact • Life on Earth appeared only after the oxygen layer was sufficiently thick enough to generate a successful ozone that would shield the surface from destructive rays. • Ultraviolet Radiation from the sun can reach the surface of the Earth faster when the ozone layer is being diminished. • When 1% of the ozone layer is depleted, there can be up to 6% of an increase in the incidence of skin cancer, which is caused by UV-B rays. • Life cycles in plants will change, ultimately disrupting the food chain, which can lead to severe effects on animals. • Long Island may be subjected to severe flooding in the future because of the excessive Ultraviolet radiation. The ice caps in Antarctica will continue to melt, and could one day destroy any coastal region.

4. Reducing the Issue • Montreal Protocol: Responsible for the reduction and elimination of the production of many ozone-depleting substances in industrialized countries. • Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program: Evaluates and regulates substitutes for ozone-depleting chemicals. • Clean Air Act: An agency within the act is authorized to identify and publish lists of acceptable and unacceptable substitutes for class I and II ozone-depleting substances. • As individuals, we can recycle, car-pool, educate others (peers, younger siblings, parents,) form student organizations to protect the environment, use energy-savers, reuse plastic.

5. Loss of Biodiversity/Endangered Species(Loss of Habitat and Fragmented Habitat) Elena Veronin & Gabby Griffing

6. Description Biodiversity: variation of life forms, or species Endangered Species: species that are close to extinction. Example: 1/8 of all plant species are endangered, and some estimates put 140,000 species extinct per year The Long Island Sound’s ecosystem is being disturbed by pollution and fishing. Causes: H.I.P.P.O. H: habitat destruction I: invasive species P: Pollution P: human overpopulation O: overharvesting

7. Ecological Impact Loss of biodiversity causes instability in ecosystems The destruction of habitats and introduction of invasive species puts the native species at risk for extinction. In Latimer Reef, a foreign species was introduced, and has grown exponentially. Impact on Humans: Medicines in rainforests are being destroyed Ex: rosy periwinkle, used in anti-cancer medication. Economic Impact: Food supplies are shrinking Number of fish species is shrinking March 1987 May 2006

8. Reliance upon modern varieties of rice has caused more than 1,500 local rice varieties in Indonesia to become extinct Humans now rely upon just 14 species of mammals and birds to supply 90% of all animal-derived foods What Can You Do? • Keep pets indoors • Choose tap over bottled water • Adjust two degrees -To help out locally and globally you can also volunteer or donate to the American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation • Choose green energy

9. global warming • An average increase in the Earth's temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate resulting in

10. Ecological Impact World Wide Locally – New York