The Ozone Layer

Almost everyone loves going to the beach or just walking around on a nice sunny day. What if you couldn't do anything like that during the day because if you went out for more then about 3 minutes you would burn because of the sun's harmful rays? Luckily, because of the ozone layer we can still do activities like these, but if we keep using energy the way we are, we may not be able to even leave our homes during the day. The ozone layer is like an invisible shield that protects us from most of the sun's harmful rays. The ozone layer covers about 90% of the earth and protects us from about 97-99% of these harmful rays. Currently it is being burned by bad destructive chemicals called greenhouse gases which we produce. If it were mostly or completely destroyed the climate would change to a point in which humans or animals may not be able to survive in. For example, with the UV rays being stronger, skin cancer would become more common. Plants would die because of too much sun, therefore herbivores could die. These examples are all "what if's" but here is an example happening right now; our greenhouse gases are burning the Antarctic area's ozone layer, that is why ice is melting and animals such as polar bears are drowning. This hole in the Antarctic is predicted to last until 2050! Can you believe people have damaged the planet almost 65 years in advance, since in 1985 when scientists first noticed the hole?!

There are only about one or two ways to help the ozone layer. The obvious: CUT DOWN ON ENERGY! Even turning off one light or walking to school one morning instead of taking a car could make a difference. The other way is hopefully advance sciences will come up with something that can heal the ozone layer's holes. Of course we can't just rely on them, we need to do as much as we can to protect the ozone layer and our planet.