The ozone layer is a region of the atmosphere that protects us from the harmful effects of the sun. It works as a filter that lets in UV rays that are vital to the health of the earth; it also blocks harmful rays that are dangerous to humans and the environment. It is formed by the reaction that sunlight has on oxygen. This cycle has been going on for millions of years; the ozone levels have been naturally regulated by the amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere. This has kept the ozone stable enough for the planet to prosper. The levels are extremely important to every specie on the earth. Scientists discovered in the 1970's that chemicals that we had been using regularly were damaging the earth's protective layer. This damage has caused a "hole" that lets in the harmful rays of the sun. It's now up the people who caused the problem, us, to solve it. .
Clorofloro Carbons "CFC's" are what we as humans use to help us cool are refrigerator and cars. CFC's were developed in the 1930's, and can destroy ozone once it gets into the atmosphere. Once released into the atmosphere, the CFC's, which contain chlorine, continue to rise and are broken apart by the sun's rays. The chlorine then reacts and begins to destroy ozone molecules. Chemicals such as bromine, nitrous oxide, which is found in fertilizers, have also been found to damage the ozone. In1980, we cut CFC production in half and in 1990 we ended the production of CFC completely. You can also help to keep the hole to a minimum by recycling, reducing driving time, and use gas or propane grill instead of charcoal. The best thing we could do, as Americans would be to find some sort of alternative fuel to gasoline that isn't harmful to the environment. Hydrogen based fuel and electric cars are the two of the more common solutions that are discussed. Each of them presents challenges that would have to be overcome in order to be used effectively.
