Dr Pragyan Paramita Parija
On this World Ozone Day, 16thSeptember 2023, the theme is “fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change”.
Earth’s ozone layer plays a vital role in shielding out harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. In this context, this year’s World Ozone Day 2023 assumes greater significance in a world facing the daunting challenges of climate change with a depleting ozone layer. The event this year brings together all countries, health professionals, and environmentalistsall around the world to emphasise the crucial part the ozone layer plays in preserving life on Earth and reducing the detrimental effects of climate change.
By absorbing the bulk of the dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, the ozone layer, a section of the Earth’s stratosphere with a higher concentration of ozone (O3) molecules, plays a crucial part in protecting our planet. The triatomic oxygen molecule ozone creates this shield, which acts as a barrier to excessive UV radiation. Life on our planet would be subjected to dangerous UV radiation levels without the ozone layer, increasing the risk of skin cancer, cataracts, and other health problems as well as ecological changes.
The discharge of synthetic compounds known as ozone-depleting substances (ODS), such as halons and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), has put the ozone layer in danger for decades. The ozone layer began to slowly but steadily recover after the historic Montreal Protocol in 1987.Itsignified a massive global effort to phase out the manufacture and consumption of ODS.The ozone layer’s critical function in controlling Earth’s temperature is one of the less well-known features of it. The ozone layer affects how solar energy is dispersed in our atmosphere, affecting temperature patterns and wind currents. These patterns can change when the ozone layer is disturbed, causing climate anomalies such as altered precipitation patterns, increased storm activity, and difficulties in agriculture.
Furthermore, the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) is directly related to the ozone layer’s depletion. ODS and GHG are frequently released by the same industrial processes. So, in the fight against climate change, tackling ozone depletion and reducing GHG emissions work hand in hand.
This year, as we observe World Ozone Day, we must reaffirm our commitment to protect and rebuild the ozone layer while simultaneously celebrating the accomplishments of the Montreal Protocol. Our efforts on this front directly affect how we fight climate change.
The world has recently experienced the effects of climate change, including more frequent and powerful hurricanes, deadly wildfires, and droughts. Rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and damaged ecosystems result from the increase in global temperatures, mostly due to the build-up of GHGs in the atmosphere. It is obvious that the world and all of its inhabitants are in great danger due to climate change.
Let’s keep in mind that as we observe World Ozone Day in 2023, our planet is dealing with two crises: the destruction of the ozone layer and the unrelenting march of climate change. This article tries to give an overview of ozone depletion, climate change and their effect on health.
Q1: Why is Ozone Day significant, and what does it mean?
A: September 16th is designated as Ozone Day, commonly referred to as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. It honours the occasion of the 1987 signing of the Montreal Protocol, a significant international agreement designed to gradually phase out compounds that cause ozone depletion. Ozone Day is significant because it underscores the importance of the ozone layer in preserving both the environment and human health and serves as a reminder of the efforts being made worldwide to conserve it.
Q2: What is the ozone layer, and why is it so important to the health of our planet?
A: A section of the Earth’s stratosphere known as the ozone layer contains a disproportionately high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules. It serves as a shield, preventing the majority of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the surface of the Earth. Without the ozone layer, life on Earth would be exposed to high levels of UV radiation, which would have severaladverse effects on human health as well as the environment, such as cataracts, skin cancer, and harm to ecosystems.
Q3: How does the ozone layer’s reduction impact human health?
A: When the ozone layer is thinner, more UV-B and UV-A radiation reaches the Earth’s surface. Long-term exposure to these dangerous UV rays can impair people’s health in several ways, including
- Skin cancer: UV radiation, particularly melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, is a primary cause of skin cancer. Skin cancer risk can be dramatically increased by prolonged sun exposure without protection.
- Eye Damage: UV rays can harm the eyes, resulting in cataracts that can impair vision or even result in blindness.
- Weakening of Immune System: Prolonged UV exposure can weaken immunity, leaving people more vulnerable to infections and illnesses.
- Premature Ageing: UV radiation can hasten skin ageing, causing wrinkles, age spots, and other skin-related problems.
Q4: What precautions may people take to safeguard themselves from UV radiation?
A: People can take the following actions to shield themselves from UV radiation’s negative effects: - Use sunscreen: Before heading outside, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply again every two hours, particularly after swimming or perspiring.
- Dress Protectively: Wear long-sleeved shirts, slacks, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats to cover any exposed skin.
- Seek Shade: Avoid being in the sun directly between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., which are considered peak UV hours.
- Regular Skin Checks: Check your skin frequently for problems and see a dermatologist annually for a skin cancer screening.
Q5: How do climate change affect health relate to the ozone layer’s depletion?
A: There are connections between the thinning of the ozone layer and climate change. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), for example, are some of the same compounds that destroy the ozone layer and are also powerful greenhouse gases that cause global warming. In turn, climate change causes a variety of harmful health repercussions, such as: - Heat-Related Conditions: Increasing temperatures can cause conditions including heatstroke and dehydration, which are heat-related conditions.
- Vector-Borne Diseases: Due to changes in mosquito and tick populations, caused by climate change, diseases like malaria and Lyme disease are more likely to spread.
- Air Pollution: Asthma and other respiratory disorders might become worse as a result of deteriorating air quality brought on by climate change.
- Lack of Access to Food and Water: Climate change can affect the availability of food and water, resulting in starvation and waterborne illnesses.
Q6: How does the health of vulnerable people differ due to climate change?
A: People who are more at risk for health problems due to climate change include vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and people who already have health issues. They might experience more heat-related illnesses, less access to healthcare, and more exposure to hazards caused by the environment.
Q7: What can people do to lessen the effects of climate change on their health?
A: Using public transportation, conserving energy, and supporting climate change legislation are just a few of the steps people can take to lessen the effects of climate change on their health. The environment and human health can also be protected by encouraging sustainable practices like water and waste reduction.
Q8: What will be the main message of Ozone Day in 2023?
A: Ozone Day 2023 serves as a reminder of the interdependence between ozone layer preservation, climate change mitigation, and human health. It encourages individuals to take action to safeguard our planet and well-being and calls for individual cooperation to overcome these interconnected concerns.
(The writer is Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, AIIMS, Vijaypur, Jammu).
