Can you imagine what life would be like
if we didn't have refrigerators, air conditioning or insulated homes? Life would
be pretty difficult because we take such things things for granted. We enjoy the comfort
these provide but don't often ask if they have a bad effect on the environment.
But, did you know that the same chemicals that are used to keep our food cold in the
freezer and our houses warm in the winter are also responsible for damaging crops and
marine life and for contributing toward skin cancer and eye cataracts? Scary, isn't it?
Let's look at what we know about this subject and see what's being done to improve
things. First, how did it all start?
BACKGROUND
Believe it or not, but
refrigerators are relatively new. It has only been about 50 years since people started
looking for chemicals that could he used to keep things cold.
Just after World War II, scientists discovered a group of chemicals which seemed to be
just what they were looking for. These chemicals were easy to make, were fire-proof and
were non- poisonous. Not only were these chemicals good at keeping things cold but it was
found that they were useful in making insulation products, packaging and many other
products.
This group of chemicals has a long, technical name known as chlorofluorocarbons which
we have shortened to CFCs. So next time you see or hear the letters CFCs, you'll know what
they stand for.
Halons are another group of chemicals which are just as important. They are used mainly
for fire protection.
Everything seemed fine for many years. Factories around the world produced
refrigerators, air conditioning units and all types of insulation. But in the mid-1980s,
scientists discovered a "hole" in the ozone layer over the Antarctic.
Before we talk about what that has to do with CFCs and Halons, let's have a quick look
at what the ozone layer is.
What is the
OZONE layer?
The ozone layer is a layer of
ozone gas which surrounds the Earth some 15 to 35 km above its surface. This 20 km wide
layer acts like a natural filter because it prevents most of the sun's ultraviolet rays
from reaching the Earth. These rays could harm us if the ozone filter were not in place.
For example, more people would get skin cancer and eye diseases. As well, animals would be
affected and so would farmers' crops and the top layer of our oceans.
So now you can see why it is very important to have this ozone layer around our planet.
But, that's not the whole story.
This natural ozone layer accounts for about 90% of all the ozone gas that exists. As we
have seen, it is very beneficial. In fact, let us call it "good" ozone.
The other 10% is "bad" ozone and comes from sources such as the exhaust from
cars. But because this ozone is located down near the Earth' s surface, it gets trapped in
the summer months in air pockets and causes smog over our cities. This type of air
pollution has a bad effect on people who suffer from breathing problems. That's why we
call it "bad" ozone and that's why many governments are working hard to get rid
of it.
How is the OZONE
layer being damaged?
What is the relationship between CFCs,
Halons and the ozone layer?
When the "hole" was first discovered in the ozone layer over the Antarctic,
scientists from around the world met to discuss this development. Their belief is that
while CFCs and Halons do not cause environmental damage in the air near the ground, they
travel very slowly upward until they reach the ozone layer where they begin to eat away at
the ozone like millions of little "pac-men".
Scientists can't tell us yet exactly how much damage has already been done, nor how
quickly more damage will occur. But we do know that these chemicals can stay up there in
the ozone layer for up to 100 years and may be destroying ozone for that period of time.
By sending weather balloons up into the ozone layer, and from information gathered by
space satellites, scientists have seen some large gaps or holes in the ozone layer at
certain times of the year. To date, these gaps have been observed over both the North and
South Poles.
WHAT'S being
done?
Canada is regarded as a world
leader in the development of ways and means to measure changes in the ozone layer. The
success of our efforts to protect that layer will depend a lot on having good, reliable
information on just what is happening to that invisible layer of gases 15 to 35 km above
us. The good work being done in Canada is being shared with many other countries who are
also working on the problem, and who share their information with us.
Scientists are continuing to look for more clues on exactly what is happening to the
ozone layer. Canada, however, along with more than 50 other countries, decided in 1987 not
to wait. Something had to be done immediately. So they decided to reduce their use of
these chemicals by 50 percent by 1999.
In June 1990, these same countries met in London and agreed they would cease production
of CFCs and most other ozone-depleting substances by the year 2000.
But Canada and some countries are moving faster than that to eliminate the use of
ozone-depleting substances; by the end of 1994 Canada will no longer import Halons (we do
not produce this substance) and by the end of 1995, we will cease to produce and import
CFCs.
You may wonder why it was not possible to stop using CFCs and Halons as soon as
scientists knew of the damage these chemicals did to the ozone layer.
Before CFCs and Halons could be banned, other chemicals had to be developed to replace
them. Can you imagine what would have happened if the government had said CFCs had to be
banned immediately even in refrigeration!
Therefore, industry had to find chemicals which would work as well as CFCs and which
would not create any environmental problems.
For some uses, substitutes for CFCs were found quickly. They are no longer used in
aerosol spray cans or in packaging foam containers. Companies that make insulation
products have begun to find ways to make their products without CFCs. But industry is
still working on the chemical they will substitute for CFCs in refrigerators.
In the meantime, Canada is taking another important step towards protecting the ozone
layer. Very soon, when technicians repair your refrigerator or air conditioner, they will
recover and recycle the CFCs contained in your appliance. Instead of letting the old CFCs
escape into the atmosphere, the technician will collect the old CFCs in a special
container, clean the, and use them again. Recovering and recycling CFCs instead of
releasing them into the atmosphere will really help protect the ozone layer.
Certain countries, like China and India, are planning to make very large increases in
their use of refrigeration and air conditioning. It will be costly for them to avoid the
use of CFCs, so a special fund of money has been set up to assist them to use the new
chemicals and technology. This is being done because protection of the ozone layer is a
global problem which can only be solved by co-operation between all the countries of the
world.
Will the OZONE
layer mend?
You may be wondering what will
happen to the ozone layer if we stop using CFCs and Halons.
Scientists tell us that the ozone layer will slowly mend itself if all countries soon
stop producing and using chemicals that damage the ozone layer. However, we said before
that these chemicals can stay up in the atmosphere for as long as 100 years. Therefore,
although we will soon stop using them, the chemicals already in the atmosphere will
probably continue damaging the ozone layer for many years to come. Scientists think the
ozone layer will not be completely mended before the middle of the next century.
WHAT you can do
Now that you know the dangers of
CFCs and Halons and how they can affect not only your own health but the health of the
planet, it's time to think of what each of you can do. Here are a few suggestions:
Be sure you understand the problem. You may be able to find more information concerning
the ozone layer at your school or public library.
Some products now have labels that say "Ozone-Friendly". Try to find some of
them.
Talk to your parents and your friends about what can be done in or around your own home.
For instance, technicians repairing your refrigerator or air conditioner should recover
and recycle the old CFCs so they are not released into the atmosphere. Automobile air
conditioning units should regularly be checked for leaks.
Ask your teacher to arrange class projects in which you and your friends can show your
knowledge of this subject and suggest things that need to be done to help solve the
problem.
How to PROTECT
yourself
It's easy to protect yourself
against the harmful effects of the sun's rays. Here are a few simple suggestions:
Never stay in the sun for long periods of time without protection. Wear at least a
sunhat, T-shirt and shorts and use sunscreen lotion. Use a sunscreen lotion with a SPF
(sun protection factor) of at least 15 and apply it often every two hours when you're
outside. Pay particular attention to the most exposed parts of your body your ears, face,
neck, shoulders and back, knees and the top of your feet. Wear sunglasses that screen UV
rays. Don't be fooled by clouds. The sun's rays can penetrate light clouds, fog and haze.
GOOD AND BAD
GOOD OZONE -- 90% OF ALL OZONE
Surrounds our Earth, 15 to 35 km above its surface.
Acts as filter, preventing most of the sun's burning ultraviolet rays from reaching
Earth.
Without it, many people would get skin cancer and eye diseases. Farmers' crops, and the
top of our oceans would also be damaged.
BAD OZONE -- 10% OF ALL OZONE
Found at ground level
from sources such as car exhaust.
Helps to form smog in summer months generally in cities.
This type of air pollution is harmful to people with breathing problems and others.
WHAT is Environmental Citizenship?
Protection of the ozone layer is
just one of many major environmental issues the people of the world face today. Acid rain,
global warming and garbage reduction are other examples.
If our planet is to survive, it is very important that each of us understands as much
as possible about how we can protect our environment. Becoming an environmental citizen
means a personal commitment to learning more about the environment and to taking
responsible environmental action. Environmental Citizenship encourages individuals,
communities and organizations to think about the environmental rights and responsibilities
we all have as residents of planet Earth. Environmental Citizenship means caring for the
Earth and caring for Canada.
