The importance of a healthy ozone layer.

Protecting the Ozone Layer.

The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere protects humans and other organisms from the solar UV radiation. In the 1970’s scientists discovered that certain man-made chemicals ruin the ozone layer leading to an increased level of UV radiation. These chemicals are known as Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).

An overexposure to UV radiation:

•  Leads to a number of serious health risks for humans.

•  Serious negative impacts for biodiversity.

•  Opposing effects on plant growth, therefore reducing agricultural productivity.

 I believe that if we follow the actions noted below it will work to maintain a healthy ozone layer. A lot has already been done (the global consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances has been reduced by 95%) and if we continue reducing the use of ODS’s the result will be the recovery of the ozone layer and we will not be overexposed to UV radiation.

Much remains to be done to ensure the continuous recovery of the ozone layer and to reduce the impact of ODS on climate change such as:

•  The recovery of ODS existing in equipment and buildings.

•  Ensuring that climate friendly alternatives are used to replace ODS.

•  The prevention of illegal trade of ODS.

•  The continuous use of ODS worldwide is further reduced and that the existing measures are properly implemented.

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ozone/index_en.htm

Air Quality Initiatives Assignment - ozone

Description of ozone :
An ozone is trioxygen,  which consists 3 oxygen atoms. Ozone in the lower atmosphere is an air pollutant with harmful effects on animals. The upper ozone layer prevents damaging of electromagnetic radiation from reaching the earth's surface. There's good and bad ozone.

What are they doing?

1. Don't use foam plastic insulation in your house.
2. Make sure  your car's air conditioner is carefully serviced.
3. When your buying a refrigerator, you can choose an energy efficient model. Also get rid/dispose old refrigerators.
4. People don't use methyl bromide.
5. You can be  "ozone friendly" by, buying products that say "ozone friendly"

Why:

The ozone layer filters out UV rays from the sun and protects all life on earth. So, they are doing this so we can be protected from skin cancer, cataracts and weakened immune systems. It also is dangerous to people that have asthma. While children are outside playing in the summer, can develop breathing difficulties.

Opinion:

I think its good that the ozone has UV rays and gives us heat, but at times it could be pretty bad, because of the ozone it gives you many less oportunities for things. Such as: limits time to go outside, when outside need to have lots of water and put on sun screen, and you cannot push yourself too physically while outside. The ozone is also good because it protects life on earth by absorbing UV rays from the sun.

The Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was negotiated and signed by 24 countries and by the European Economic Community in September 1987. The Protocol called for the Parties to phase down the use of CFCs, halons and other man-made ODCs. Today, the number of parties to the Protocol has grown to 162, accounting for more than 95% of the people of planet Earth.

The Montreal Protocol requires that the production and consumption of compounds that reduce ozone in the stratosphere--chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform--are to be phased out by 2000. Scientific theory and evidence suggest that, once emitted to the atmosphere, these compounds could significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer that shields the planet from damaging UV-B radiation. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is one of the first international environmental agreements that include trade sanctions to achieve the stated goals of a treaty.

I believe that through the work of this protocol, people have become more aware and are acknowledging the threat to the ozone layer, ourselves, and the world. The Worldwatch Institute, in its State of the World 1997 Report, notes, "At a time when progress in reversing other global environmental trends is distressingly slow, it is reassuring to see that in responding to the threat of ozone depletion, the world was up to the job." This protocol can be used as a model for future protocols because it has been such a success. It has proven that environmental science and knowledge are a needed investment, and much less expensive than ignorance. This protocol has been a tremendous success, and has been a great building block in the last ten years, and inspiring others to get on board and try to change what we have done to the world.

Works Cited
http://www.theozonehole.com/montreal.htm
http://www.globalcentres.org/cgcp/english/html_documents/ads/coll-e.htm

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol)

The most broadly used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, calculate, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. The GHG Protocol is working with businesses, governments, and environmental groups around the world to build a new generation of reliable and effective programs for dealing with climate change. The GHG Protocol also helps give developing countries an internationally accepted management tool to help their businesses to compete in the global marketplace and their governments to make informed decisions about climate change. It covers the accounting and reporting of the six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol — carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). It was designed with the following objectives in mind: • To help companies prepare a GHG inventory that represents a true and fair account of their emissions, through the use of standardized approaches and principles. • To simplify and reduce the costs of compiling a GHG inventory • To provide business with information that can be used to build an effective strategy to manage and reduce GHG emissions • To increase consistency and transparency in GHG accounting and reporting among various companies and GHG programs Opinion: I don’t believe that many huge companies really care about global warming and if they do it’s hard to believe that the entire business helps to keep their emissions low. I think that the protocol is fine; at least we are looking to big companies to set an example on how to reduce carbon emissions but it’s not enough. They should set up competitions or look at carbon footprints within the work place just so that they make sure to get everyone involved. Companies should be trying to keep their own carbon footprint small because they know it’s good for the environment NOT because they are being forced too by the GHG Protocol. People need to become better informed about the consequences of using so much energy and of polluting our earth. I think that is what the GHG Protocol should be focusing on – informing people. Works Cited: http://www.ghgprotocol.org/ http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/GHG-protocol.html

Assignment: Air Quality Initiatives: How To Protect The Ozone.

Description:
An ozone is a form of oxygen. It can be found in the atmosphere especially after a thunderstorm. It can absorb ultraviolet rays as well as protect us from it, it can cause skin cancers, and hurt us in harmful conditions. The ultraviolet ray protecting us so it does not reach the surface of the earth. The ozone has harmful effects on animals.

What are they doing?
You can help protect the ozone layer by:

Checking the frezeer and car air-conditioning. If they do not function properly, have them repaired because they may have leaks.

Using less heating and air conditioning

Uses Alternative types of transportation (walking, biking, etc. )

Reframe from using methyl bromide

Recycling

Why?
They are doing this because they don't want us humans to be getting skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened immune systems, by using ultraviolet rays to protect the earth that we live on.

MY OPINION:
I think that it is really good that we have UV rays to protect us, but sometimes it to much because you can't even go for a simple jog outside without damaging your skin somehow. It also limits us, for example if you have sentive skin, or can easily burn, you would constantly have to apply sunscreen on yourself, before you  outside for any occasion.
                           
                                                                   OZONE LAYER.

Ozone Depletion and what the European Union is doing about it

Ozone, or trioxygen, is a triatomic molecule, consisting of three oxygen atoms. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the diatomic allotrope (O₂). Ozone is very harmful to us if it is in the lower atmosphere but it is very useful and crucial in the upper atmosphere in protecting the way of life as we know it today. It is very important we protect this layer of ozone because it is one of our only defenses against the universe.

The European Union has a strong commitment to protect the ozone layer. To help with the recovery of the ozone, the European Union has gone beyond what is required of them under the international agreements. They have already reduced their consumption of ozone destroying substances to 0 as controlled under the Montreal Protocol. (10 years ahead of its obligation)

Additionally, the European Union has put in controls for any use of ozone depleting substances that are not considered as consumption under the Montreal Protocol, such as uses of ODS (ozone depleting substances) as feedstock in the chemical industry. In particular the European Union has banned the use of the toxic methyl bromide for any kind of fumigation.

The European Union legislation has not only been very effective in controlling ozone depleting substances but also acted as a driver for the development of innovative technologies such as alternatives for methyl bromide alternatives.

I believe the European Union has done an incredible job of saving the ozone. They eliminated their consumption of ozone destroying substances 10 years ahead of their commitment!! Their strong commitment to protect the ozone layer inspired me to do something. As for “do I think it will work?” Well of course! They have already reduced their use of ozone depleting substances to ZERO!!! I am not sure if this might be implemented in Canada because I am not sure what most of the ozone depleting substances are. But I do believe that this should be implemented in Canada because it seems like such a simple thing to do to save our ozone!

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ozone/index_en.htm (regulation)

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32009R1005:EN:NOT (substances that deplete the Ozone)

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/documentation/ozone/docs/statistical_factsheet6_en.pdf (statistics)

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/faq/ozone/index_en.htm (FAQ)

Ada County Air Quality Initiatives

ADA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Ada County Air Quality Initiatives

What they do to reduce CO

• use of E-85 and other flex fuels in county-owned vehicles


• free local bus passes for county employees


• Indoor Air Plans for county buildings


• Abundant use of bike racks on the courthouse complex

use of hybrid vehicles in the country

I think it's a good idea to start with something like this, but they should do more than these things. More people should do this.

B.C. Air Action Plan

B.C.’s Air Initiatives

· The BC government has developed the B.C. Air Action Plan, which sets aside $28.5 million over three years to improve and enhance air quality across the province and protect the people’s health.

· Plan focuses on clean transportation , clean industry, clean communities

· All were expected to be in place by 2009.

· Clean Communities

o Taking an active role in airshed planning

o Supporting the replacement of old wood stoves with cleaner alternatives

o Enforcing a provincial smoke-management plan

o Research on air quality and health

· Clean Industry

o Aiming to reduce the air quality or impact of industry emissions

o New policies that insist factories use the ‘best available, economically feasible, pollution-control technologies’

o Clean up industrial boilers

o Reducing emissions

o Eliminate beehive burners

o Various more

· Clean transportation

• 
  
  14 billion towards transportation (clean vehicles & fuels, public transit, cycling & pedestrian routes, new rapid transit lines)


• 
  
  Government is taking several actions to accomplish this such as: maintaining tax breaks on hybrid vehicles, creating a Scrap-It Program to get old cars off the road, anti-idling movement, new clean-energy school buses, along with various other movements.

• 
  
  Government will also be carrying out several efforts which support their B.C. Air Action Plan

· LiveSmart BC – encourages individuals & communities to make more energy efficient choices for their homes, vehicles, and businesses

· ActNow – encourages healthy lifestyle choices such as green transportation

· BC Scrap-It Now Program – removing old, polluting vehicles off the road

· Canada-wide Standards for Particulate Matter and Ozone – minimizing rick particulate matter and ozone pose to human health and our environment.

· New Ambient Air Quality Criteria for PM – guide air management decisions on a day-to-day basis

· Air Quality Legislation – addressing air pollution through legislation, codes of practice, permits & standards.

• 
  
  Variations of the B.C. Air Action Plan are also happening at a municipal & federal level

I think that this is a really good and efficiant way to deal with air pollution, and that our city should innitiate somethign along the same lines.

Air quality initiatives assignment-greenhouse gases

what are greenhouse gases? -many chmical compounds found in the earth's atmosphere act as "greenhouse gases" these gases allow sunlight to enter th atomsphere freely. greenhouse gases absorb this infrared radiation adn trap the heat in the atmosphere. first global picture of green house. So if greehounse gases is increase glabal warming is come to true more quickly than what we predict through this mission is providing us with amazing data about carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from all over the world.

this wonderful airplain which is can flyvery far, very high, very low, and can take slice out of it in atmopshere and see whats in it. this aplin is able to see thw hole globe all at once in great detail.

learning about how the whole globe is working with respective taking of carbondioxide, atmopshere methane other important gases too.

in my opinionabout this plain it is good thing becuase we can get many information about greenhouse gases and also we can get imformation about reduce greenhouse gases. when the project is complete,scientist will have a new picture of how greenhouse gases are entering and exiting the atmosphere as a result of natural processes and human activities.

Nari Park

Pole-to-Pole Flights Provide First Global Picture of Greenhouse Gases

HIAPER aircraft will help scientists determine where and when greenhouse gases enter and leave the atmosphere, a critical prerequisite for taking steps to curb global warming. Scientist says, "This will lead to improved predictions about greenhouse gases and enable society to make better about climate change"

In my opinios, After i saw this article, i think its really good way to reduce greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases exposures in the world as well as its not good for person because of global warming also much of greenhouse gases are absorbed by the Earth, and then emitted as infrared radiation, or heat. This energy prevent the Earth from discarding as much of this heat as it otherwise would back into space. In fact, atmospheric levels of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxide are higher now than at any time since modern humans have evolved. So we need to know about where and when greenhouse gases enter and leave the atmosphere and we should consider how to decrease greenhouse gases !

Green-roofs

Green roofs are a way to help the ozone by supplying more oxygen to the atmosphere. Green roofs are having a layer of living plants on top of the structure. There are two types of green roofs intensive and extensive.

Intensive green roofs often have a soil depth of a foot or more, and require a lot of structural support to hold the weight of the whole roof. They can also sustain a wide range of plant species and typically require a fair amount of regular maintenance. Because of the additional demands they impose, intensive roofs are much less common than extensive roofs.

Extensive roofs are much shallower, typically only 2 to 4 inches deep, and are planted with particularly hardy plants.

This initiative has been around for a very long time more popular in Europe, but now it is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. I think is a great idea because it uses space that no one really uses for anything to supply oxygen to the environment. This idea also helps roofs be able to last longer since the green roofs protect the roof membrane from sunlight, which breaks down the roofing material decreasing the amount of roofing material that will be put into garbage dumps. I also believe it’s a good idea because we could just combine the ideas of green-roofing with local food production so then we could have urban farms which would help reduce habitat destruction and deforestation. As well as food transportation costs would be lowered since we wouldn’t need as much supplies to be transported in.

Alternative Energy: Wind Power.

The initiative: Energy Alternatives Ltd. was established in 1984 and founded by Melina and Ezra Auerbach. It is Canada's longest operating renewable energy company. It is located in Victoria, BC, Canada. The company has an annual revenue of 2, 468, 500 dollars. What are they doing? They sell green products that run on alternative energy, such as wind power, to keep the earth clean and safe to live in. How does wind power work? The wind turns the blades of turbine and it spins a shaft in the turbine structure. The shaft drives a generator to produce electricity. The electricity is either used directly or stored in batteries. My opinion: I think that the company's initiative is effective and it is helping the earth expecially since it's located in Canada, which is full of forestry. Farmers or other people looking for a cleaner way of life or to generate mechanical energy while still keeping the earth safe can purchase theri products. The wind turbines can be hard to mantain or use but the website provides guides life maintenance, construction, measuring wind, and other helpful tips. This is a very good idea because most people are too lazy to research but if the information is easy to acess there is a higher chance they would use the products. There are many companies like EA around the world , especially in Europe that are doing the same.

Works sited are found by clicking the title.

Alternative Energy

Alternative energy is a term that refers to any source of usable energy. This energy is intended to replace fuel sources without the undesired consequences of the replaced fuels. There are many different types of alternative energy. We see these energy sources everyday, on the way to school, work, sports and etc... These sources would be implied as Hydro,Wind Power, Solar Power, and Geothermal Energy. Each one of these sources have a distinct alternative energy that we see in are everyday exercise. Hydro Power depends on its water source, to generate power. Wind Power depends on the wind, to rotate the turbines, to generate power. Solar Power depends on the heat rays and light from the sun. Geothermal Energy, depends on the general heat that the earth maintains inside the crust. These alternative energy soucres all contribute to help provide are needs for electricty. I think its a great way that we're trying not to kill off the earth just yet. I think its great how their coming out with the newest cars that can run on electricty. We're also trying to input every free space of land and water, with wind turbine's and hydro power. Its good that we're trying to save the Earth a bit.

Montreal Protocol

Montreal Protocol

the Montreal protocol on substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer. is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances and gases believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.

The treaty was opened for signature on September 16, 1987, and entered into force on January 1, 1989, followed by a first meeting in Helsinki, May 1989. Since then, it has undergone seven revisions, in 1990 (London), 1991 (Nairobi), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), and 1999 (Beijing). It is believed that if the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050.

my openion is that it's working see image and by 2050 it's expected to be good as new.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

The regional greenhouse gas initiative is a group located in the mid-atlantic states that focuses on the carbon dioxide emmisions and the power plants in the area. The RGGI auctions of what are known as CO2 Allowances. A CO2 allowance represents a permit omit one ton of CO2. A power plant must hold aloowances equal to its emmions. Power Plants thoroughout ten ten staes in the USA now contain allowances. Along with reducing emmisons the RGGI makes investments in energy effieceincy and renewbal energy. The initiative as been in buisness since 2000 and hopes to have CO2 emmisions reduced in the ten states by 10% by 2018. I think the idea of selling these allowances is a great idea because this puts caps on the amount of CO2 emmions the biggest producers of CO2 (power plants) can use. THe RGGI started there misson within North eastern USA because they wanted to target power plants and that is the part of the country where most plants stand. The compnay right now hasn't expaned much and isn't really looking to expand to Canada any time soon. The RRGI focusses on the USA becasue that is where most of the power plants are.

The Mayors Draft Air Quality Strategy(London)

The Mayor of London published the second draft of the Air Quality Strategy on 28 March 2010. This strategy sets out a framework for improving air quality in the environment. The strategy includes decreasing or stopping gas emissions from homes, work, factories, transport and new developments. This strategy also invlolves raising awareness of air quality issues and how they can be dealt with. PDF here

Strategies have been introduced in the past and measures were taken. Still, air pollutions is a big problem in Europe. The evidence, the European Union goals for air quality in 2004 and 2005 were not met. I believe this is a great way to deal with air pollution and to raise awareness about it. Especially for a city like London, it is a great way to lower the air pollution and to maintain healthy lifestyles. A polluted air is a harmful air...

The Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Air Quality Initiative

This department is giving a lot of effort to improve air quality in the USA. The initative targets air toxins, smogproducing chemicals from pesticide emissions, and focuses on four areas:

Reducing emissions from fumigants

remake other pesticide products to reduce emissions

Promoting new, more environmentally-friendly technologies

Developing strategic pest management partnerships in concern with industry

Their mission statement is "to protect human health and the environment by regulating pesticide sales and use, and by fostering reduced-risk pest mangement."

They've been doing this for at least 4 years.

My opinion on this initiative only reflect my personal thoughts. I think what they're doing is great and they're doing a fantastic job on running it. Slow yet effectively, they contributed a lot to make this world a better place. I think it's highly possible to implement into Canada, because it's not very hard to open this kind of department, and government would highly encourage such actions.

CARBON TAX

The Carbon Tax is an initiative to stop the amount of CO2 being released into the atmosphere. The carbon tax is an environmental tax that is levied on the carbon content of feuls. Carbon taxes will make people pay for the amount of carbon that is released into the atmosphere. When fossil feuls and gasoline engines release carbon it is deadly to the atmosphere. The government is trying to reduce the amount of carbon that is being released so they will charge a tax for how ever much carbon is released. The carbon tax is currently in Africa, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Central America, Canada and The United States. Canada has tried to push the carbon tax towards the whole country in 2008 but it was not very popular. In Canada the carbon tax only takes place in Qeubec, British Columbia, and Alberta. The Carbon tax has been in affect in Canada since 2007 and is still in affect in all of these provinces.

I think this is a great way to save the atmosphere from harmful gases. The carbon tax is great because people wont want to pay. Large companies will still burn large amounts of fossil feuls but hopefully this will make the companies reduce the amount of carbon they are releasing. The carbon tax will will reduce the amount of carbon being released in Canada but the large companies can move their factories to countries that do not have the carbon tax and take advantage of their country by polluting and realeasing harmful gases. The Carbon tax will reduce the amount of carbon in countries that have the tax but it will surely increase the amount of carbon in countries that dont have the tax. Overall I think the Carbon tax is good but it should not be a major contributor for reducing carbon emmisions in the world.

references-Wikipedia, carbontax.org, www.cbc.ca.

BY KARAM

Protect the Ozone layer

-What is Ozone?

Ozone(trioxygen) is consisting of three oxygen atoms.

-What is Ozone layer?

In the Earth's atmosphere, at aroun 25km high, a layer that has lots of ozone particles.

Ozone in lower atmosphere could be harmful to people, but in higher atmosphere it protect us from ultraviolet(UV) rays. If we get too much of UV rays, we may get skin cancer. That is why we have to protect the Ozone layer.

-Why is the Ozone layer in danger?

There is many cause but the main one is CFC(chloro fluoro carbon) which is using for refrigerant, filling in hairspray or cleaner for semiconductor chip.

(When CFC goes up to Ozone layer and meet the UV rays)

CCl2F2 + UV rays ----> CClF2 + Cl

(Cl that was seperated from CFC meet ozone)

Cl + O3 ---> ClO + O2

(ClO get rid off one more O from ozone, make O2, and leave alone(Cl))

ClO + O ---> Cl + O2

It keep repeatnig this so one CFC particle distroy around 100000 ozone particles.

I think we should reduce the use of CFC gases that is the way to protect the Ozone layer