We all know very well that the life of a living being on planet earth is possible due to the favorable environment around it. Since the ages human beings are consuming this natural source of money in all possible ways. We are causing harm to our fragile environment due to which many problems are arising every day. Climate change, global warming, environmental degradation, ozone depletion, air pollution, water pollution, and land degradation.  This is not it; if we will continue harming our environment than the environment we know now will get destroyed completely.  So, it is a duty of every human to protect our environment in all possible ways and realize the mistakes which we or our ancestors did many of the times.

Following is the things which every individual should do to save the environment.

Stop using poly bags: Plastic bags or poly bags are non biodegradable. They clog in the drainage and water ways, spoils the landscape. Polythene takes 1000 years to break down. These poly bags are not only a threat to human beings but also to the marine and other animals too. Many birds and animals die after eating this plastic, which chokes in their throats. Also, poly bags require a millions of gallons of petroleum for the preparation.

One should replace the poly bags with the paper bags and the renewable poly bags. One can also take their own carry bag when going for the shopping. Also one can buy in bulk; bulk buying will reduce the use of package material.

Ensure the proper maintenance of your vehicle: Tune up engine of your vehicle will reduce the emission of harmful gases that results in global warming and air pollutions. These gases also are the reasons for the acid rain that harms the many crops. Global warming and ozone layer depletion is caused due to these gases, because of this entire world is in danger, various diseases such as skin diseases arise because of these. These problems can become serious if we will not stop destroying our environment.

Encourage the greenery- grow plants: Humans are the wisest and superior among all the living beings. It is our duty that we all should spread the awareness to our friends, neighbors and children’s. We should encourage the awareness around the globe and also make sure that each of us does the needful things. Together we all can make the difference.

Fast pace of life has made a living on an individual so hectic that nobody even bothers about what is happening at the neighborhood. In such condition preventing the environment is a much bigger issue to be kept into consideration. Due to such an irresponsible behavior of each human, the environment is getting harmed every day. Some of the problems which are affecting the world are global warming, acid rain, air pollution, water pollution, ozone depletion, land destruction, etc. these problems are not only affecting our surrounding, but it is affecting the world as a whole.

The term “global warming” refers to the increase in the average temperature of global surface air and oceans. It occurs due to the increase in the temperature of an atmosphere due to greenhouse gas concentrations like water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane and ozone. Greenhouse gases are those gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. The reflecting back of heat energy by the atmosphere is called the “greenhouse effect”. Along with it there are various other problems such as air pollution, water pollution, land destruction which all go hand in hand. It is once said by Havelock Ellis “The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago… had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands”. Air pollution is caused basically due to various gases, which are released in the environment, whereas water pollution is caused due to release of harmful chemicals or substances from factories or homes in water which in turn pollutes the water and makes it unsuitable for drinking purpose. Land pollution occurs due to cutting of forests to meet the demand of agricultural land as a result of which erosion of fertile soil occurs, that can affect the growth of vegetables and other farm products. Another common cause that is found in this kind pollution is dumping of chemical waste or nuclear fertile in water or on land, which results in pollution.

If our environment is not saved from such pollution human species will not be able to survive for long. According to Robert Orben, ” there’s so much pollution in the air now that if it weren’t for our lungs there’d be no place to put it all. It’s high time we should put some efforts to save our environment if it’s too late then it will be late for us. As Darryl Cherney says “I’m not an environmentalist.  I’m an Earth warrior”. If everyone amongst us starts thinking like this, then with few efforts earth can again become a better place to live in. It just needs a try, so try it!

Since decades, human beings have taken the environment for granted and consuming the natural resources blindly, without even thinking of adverse effects that can cause many natural calamities and imbalance on the environment.

We all have heard about the global warming, and we also know that it could be worse if the emissions of harmful gases are not controlled. The poisonous gases like CO2, CO, etc. are the causes of depletion of the ozone layer which allows harmful UV-rays of sun to come to earth. These UV-rays are not just harmful to the environment, but it affects a human being too. It can cause many diseases, especially the skin related diseases. According to the data, each year, many people die because of these. It is a duty of the human being to control the emission of harmful gases.

Being a human it is our duty to take the steps to prevent the environment. Many people ask what they can do to save the environment, nothing is in their hand. However, this is not true; a single step of every person can make a big difference. If we become determined and show commitment then we really can save the environment. Many a times we use our vehicles to go to our offices or at friend home or at grocery shops, and instead of that if we can travel on the trams, trains or bus, then we can stop the air pollution, and the use of fuel, which is also a part of the natural resources. Imagine if every person on the planet stops using their cars and bikes then how much air pollution can be controlled.

To build the multistory buildings and complexes many trees are cut down. What will happen if the trees which provide us fresh air and help to rain will vanish from earth then in such circumstances from where we will bring fresh air? Who can stop the soil erosion? So it is our duty to plant a tree and try to keep our surroundings more green. Also, we can spread such awareness among the neighbors, friends and family. Every wise step and act can help to create and experience the better future.

Ozone Layer Depletion

Ozone layer depletion is one of the major environmental issues.  Ozone layer is a layer of o₃ (Tri atomic Oxygen) gases present around the stratosphere of earth. In the 1980s, researchers have reported and proved that there is a decrease of ozone gas in Antarctic stratosphere because of some man-made chemicals.  In the upper atmosphere, an oxygen atom absorbs Ultra-violet rays emitting from Sun and reacts with an oxygen molecules to form Ozone layer or gases. The process of forming Ozone layer is also called as photoisomerization or photolysis.

In late 1970s scientists discovered that chemicals like Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Carbon mono oxide (CO) could destroy the Ozone layer. Chlorofluorocarbon is a gas used in air conditioning, refrigerator and aerosol spray propellants. It was invented by Thomas Midgley in the year 1928. CFC is uses as a by-product in some chemical processes and cleaning agent for some electronic equipment. Studies showed that CFC molecule is heavier than nitrogen or oxygen molecules, it takes around 15 years to reach to the upper atmosphere from ground level and can stay there for centuries. During the stay at upper atmosphere CFC breaks down into free radical catalysts (Chlorine, Bromine, hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide), these catalysts further react with ozone gas molecules and results in thinning of ozone gas.

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Effect of Ozone layer depletion on Humans

Ozone layer acts as a natural sunscreen for the humans and other living organism on the planet earth. Depletion in the ozone layer can results in an increase of surface ultraviolet level. Experts predict that an estimate 10 % reduction in the ozone layer will cause 20% increases in Ultraviolet level on the earth surface. Increase in level on Ultraviolet lights can cause skin cancer and chronic eye diseases to the human’s.  It has been reported that incidence of skin cancer has increased dramatically by 690 percent from 1950 to 2001, and the overall death rate increased 165 percent during the same period.  The World Health Organization estimates that 90 percent of skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Effect of ozone Layer depletion on Plants and Crops.

• Reduced Photosynthesis
• Enhanced drought stress sensitivity
• Either inhibited or stimulated flowering
• Yield Reduction
• Growth limitation