Earth is the only planet in the galaxy that has proven presence of life.

The life is made possible due to the ozone layer in the atmosphere, that surrounds the earth. Though the sun provides basic energy for life on earth, the same sunrays also have Ultra Violet (UV) rays that cause extensive damage to living organisms. It is the Ozone layer in the atmosphere, which absorbs such damaging rays and protects the earth.

Ozone is a form of oxygen that occurs in three different forms in the atmosphere. It is in oxygen atoms, oxygen molecules and ozone. It is these components together that helps in absorbing harmful sunrays and lets only beneficial rays to reach the earth’s surface.

In 1985, a paper published in the scientific magazine Nature, indicated that there is serious damage caused to the ozone layer. The scientists had identified the disappearing ozone layer in Antarctica, known as “Ozone Hole”. The recent satellites imageries indicate that the hole has increased over the years and now its size is as big as 8 times of  India.

Depletion of the ozone layer has close links to the life styles of modern day citizen who is habituated to using gadgets like refrigerators and air conditioners. Synthetic compounds, chlorine and bromine – heavily used in the industrial and household refrigeration – are the main culprit. The use of CFC (chloro fluoro carbons) has risen to an alarming proportion. The increased air traffic with low airfares all over the world is also a major contributor to ozone depletion.

According to a study by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) depletion of the ozone layer has already started to have an adverse impact on life on earth. Its effects are seen through increased infectious diseases in human beings, such as new forms of eye disease and incidence of high skin cancer.

In plants, the high intensity of ultra-violet rays is changing the physiological characteristics, prompting the need to evolve new varieties that can withstand high UV radiation. The biodiversity of tropical forests like the  Western Ghats in South India is also under threat. The indicators are, according to Dr Shankar of Kerala Forest Research Institute, “the species composition is changing in tropical forests; the evergreen species are giving way to deciduous species.”

Perhaps, the aquatic system on earth would suffer maximum damage due to increased UV radiation.
Realising the consequences of ozone depletion the agreement on Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete ozone layer was signed in 1986. According to the Protocol, it was agreed that the developed countries would phase out CFCs by 1996, and for developing countries the target was set as 2010. India received $2 billion grant to phase out CFCs by 2010 from Ozone Fund, an international initiative to replace ODS (Ozone Depleting Substances).

The battle to save ozone layer cannot be successful with the vested “commercial” interest. There is an urgent need to share newer non-ozone-threatening technologies so that we can plug the “hole” that we have created in ozone layer. Even if we attempt to phase out the use of ozone depleting substances it will take more than half-a-century to heal the layer.

In order to protect the Ozone layer we need action at the local, individual, and national levels -to be more Ozone friendly in our policy and actions.