The Clock Needs To Be Reset And The Time Is Running Out

By Author: Ramesh Vittal
Total Articles: 26
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We are living in a world that is ravaged by pollution, and we humans inhabiting this Planet cannot deny the fact that we alone are responsible for this distressing situation. There has been so much talk about Ozone layer depletion that almost all of us have heard about sometime, somewhere. It may have been in passing; however we cannot deny that we are aware of it. However, the important thing is what we have done about it, if at all and more important what we propose to do to undo the damage and contain any further devastation. How many of us stop to think enough about it to realize that there is only talk and not much action? Are all of us indulging in wishful thinking and believe that the problem can just be ignored and it will disappear on its own accord? Wouldn't that be just idle fantasy? We may be under the impression that it is the responsibility of the respective Governments and there is nothing we can do as individuals. However, the Government after all is made up of people. The people need to behave more responsibly.

The alarming phenomenon was first detected in the late 1970s when there was a distinct ...
... and steady decline in the ozone content in the Earth's stratosphere (the Ozone layer) specifically in the polar caps. The irony is that we already know what exactly causes this potentially disastrous erosion of nature's amazing safeguard; however the will to stop it needs to be exercised by every single human being on Earth. We need to realize that it is a losing battle that is not even being fought!

Surveys and studies reveal that the primary cause for the slow yet steady progress of this depletion, something akin to cancer is the discharge of halogens which are non-metal elements like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine. These halogen atoms in turn owe their existence to manmade halocarbon refrigerants like CFC or chlorofluorocarbon, freons and halons. These are discharged into the atmosphere from where they ultimately reach the stratosphere to indulge in the process of destruction.

The ozone layer itself, which can be considered a part of the Grand Design, was meant to be there for a specific purpose. We all are aware that the Sun's Rays are essential for the e existence of all forms of life on Earth. However, the rays would be toxic unless filtered properly to hold back substances found in UVB wavelengths of ultraviolet light. There is a strong suspicion that damage to plants and reduction of various organisms found in the deep sea can be attributed directly to the increased UV exposure which again is because of ozone depletion. Scientists believe that skin cancer and cataract could also be because of this alarming situation created by us humans. We need to stop a moment to think about what we would be leaving behind for the coming generations. Is it fair to leave behind a trail of destruction as a legacy? Do they deserve this though it is no fault of theirs? If a small percentage of depletion in the ozone layer, or in other words a small hole as it is referred to can be so devastating the one trembles at the thought of what lies ahead.

The saving grace would probably lie in the knowledge that Nature has its own way of self-repair. However commendable efforts like the Kyoto Protocol make us believe that all is not lost. The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(FCCC). It's sole aim is to fight Global Warming. This treaty has the goal of "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, which would help in the prevention of dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Humans can no longer play with Nature that is a gift to the entire human race. However Canada declaring its intention to withdraw and US still being a non-signatory are causes for concern. The relief lies in the fact that there has been a reduction in the four greenhouse gases. In other words to put in a layman's parlance "the hole just got a little smaller". Growing awareness at all levels is definitely going to have the desired effect. Different forms of media like Verizon FiOS TV are already doing their part by airing related programs.