Essay on The Potential Effects Of A Depleted Ozone Layer Detrykowski

The Potential Effects Of A Depleted Ozone Layer Detrykowski Term Papers

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The Potential Effects of a Depleted Ozone Layer - Detrykowski

"And God said, let there be light and there was light and then God saw the

light, that it was good " ( Genesis 1: 3-4 ). Undoubtedly, light is good.

Without light man could not survive. Light is the ultimate cosmic force in this

universe allowing man to progress and flourish. In the form of heat, light from

the sun warms the Earth. Light, also, is the single most important factor

influencing the growth and development of plants. Photosynthesis, a process by

which plants incorporate light from the sun, allow plants to botanically grow

and survive. Certain forms of light are harmful and thus can be said are 'bad'.

A natural umbrella called the ozone layer protects the Earth and its inhabitants

by screening out this harmful light. For " millions of years ozone has been

protecting the earth " by absorbing ultraviolet or bad radiation from the sun (

Rowland, 1992, p.66 ). This natural umbrella protecting mankind has recently

suffered the effects of industrialized society. This " ozone shield is

dissipating " and the cause is laid primarily to man - made chemicals (

Bowermaster et al, 1990, p.27 ). If enough of these man - made chemicals are

released, "the ozone layer would be weakened to such an extent that it does not

filter out the sun's invisible and dangerous ultraviolet rays " ( Jones, 1992,

p.36 ). Such a scenario would drastically alter society and the environment.

Ozone depletion has been described as "potential catastrophe " and " a planetary

time - bomb " ( Way, 1988, p.9 ). The four main areas affected by a depleted

ozone layer and thus by the corresponding increase in harmful ultraviolet

radiation are agriculture, wildlife, the environment, and human health. A

depleted ozone layer has a profoundly negative and potentially devastating

effect on humanity and its surroundings.

From an agricultural perspective, a diminished ozone layer poses great

risks. Since man's evolution from 'man the hunter and gatherer' to 'man the food

producer' , mankind has grown ever more dependent on his surroundings. In the

case of food production man relies greatly on these surroundings. The land on

which man attempts to grow food for himself, and certainly for others as well,

has sufficed for thousands of years. The crops grown on his land have provided

thousands with food to eat in the ancient world, millions with food to eat in

the medieval world, and billions with food to eat in the present world.

Regrettably, there have always been times of hunger and shortages. More

frighteningly, in the present world man is confronted with a population boom

which is burgeoning near the six billion mark. It is now more important than

ever to protect, maintain, and hopefully increase the amount of food grown. One

of the drawbacks of industrialization has been the significant depletion of the

ozone layer. This depletion could have an incredibly devastating impact on the

world and more specifically agriculture. In general, " plants are quite

sensitive and fragile when confronted with ultraviolet increases " ( Zimmer,

1993, p.28 ). Words such as sensitivity and fragility only add to the urgency of

the possible agricultural holocaust. One agricultural scientist remarked, "

soybeans, tomatoes, tobacco, potatoes, corn, beans, and wheat are all especially

sensitive to UV light " ( Jones, 1992, p.39 ). Since most of the mentioned crops

are considered cash crops the economic aspect of lower crop yields could also

spell disaster. Food supplies are surely in jeopardy when taking in to account

that " more than two - thirds of the plant species - mainly crops - tested for

their reaction to ultraviolet light have been found to be damaged by it " ( Lean

et al, 1990, p.97 ). An increase in ultraviolet light radiating towards plants

accelerates the pace at which man must decide what to do with the dilemma of a

booming and more importantly hungry population. Conceedingly, plants, as any

element of life, have been known to adapt to contemporary and dangerous changes

in its surroundings but it cannot be dismissed that " UV radiation can also

mutate the genes of plants " which are the fundamental building blocks of all

life ( Bowermaster et al, 1990, p.44 ). Interference with the foundations of

life can also lead to calamity and more importantly a yet foreseen and unknown

calamity. In 1988, then U.S. Interior secretary Donald Hoedel " proposed coping

with ozone depletion by simply wearing sunglasses and hats " but what Hoedel

doesn't understand is that plants lack the ability to wear such human - like

possessions (Bowermaster et al, 1990, p.31 ). With an ever - increasing

population it is critical to act or react to the ozone depletion saga in

mankind's midst. More importantly there are and foreseeably will be even more

heralded environmental issues which need to be addressed. The ozone depletion

story can seen as a warning sign to humanity exposing the fact that the earth

can only endure a certain amount of hardship before it will surrender to the

onslaught of industrial might. One author explains the gravity of the situation

by pointing out, " There's only one atmosphere and once that is gone who knows "

( Cox, 1994, p.546 ). Agriculturally, a depletion in the ozone layer could lead

to economic and societal ruin for many.

In addition to having a profound potential effect on agriculture, a

depleted ozone layer affects wildlife in the same indiscriminate manner. Since

ozone depletion leads to increases in harmful UV light, it comes as no surprise

that this 'bad' light would affect the various forms of life on Earth other than

plants. Marine life is currently the most affected by increases in UV light

associated with ozone depletion. " There has been speculation that this UV could

cause a population collapse in the marine food chain, especially in

phytoplankton " ( Zimmer, 1993, p.28 ). Phytoplankton, are free floating aquatic

plants which " are the mainstay of the oceanic food chain " ( Lemonick, 1992,

p.43 ). Concerning phytoplankton, " it has been shown through laboratory

experiments that UV-A and UV-B do indeed inhibit phytoplankton photosynthesis "

( Zimmer, 1993, p.28 ). Since phytoplankton occupy such a strategic position in

the aquatic food chain, interference with phytoplanktic photosynthesis affects

the growth, development, and reproductive aspects of all marine life. Scientists

agree that " right now, the lowest levels of life are being hit hardest " by the

increase in ultraviolet light ( Rowland, 1992, p.36 ). If the lowest levels of

marine life, being phytoplankton, are oppressed by increases in UV light,

species relying on the phytoplankton for sustenance cannot be far behind in

suffering the effects of a ravaged food chain. One of the species which relies

on the phytoplankton is krill which are shrimplike - vegetarians of the seas

which in turn are a principle source of sustenance for whales and the like. If

krill were to be harvested as a food resource for mankind it has been said that,

" a krill harvest would provide us with the same amount of food as 10% of the

global annual fish catch " ( Boisseau, 1987, p.4 ). Clearly, if the location of

krill were more available to man, than being mostly confined to polar water

regions, another principal food resource could be added to man's long list of

them. Another important feature involved in a decline in phytoplankton numbers

and productivity is the fact that " phytoplankton helps produce and recycle the

world's oxygen supply " ( Bowermaster et al, 1990, p.40 ). An increase in

ultraviolet light can thus endanger an entire ecosystem without necessarily

killing off the masses. By altering the respiratory balance in an ecosystem a

variety of species would be affected....

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