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Ozone layer protection
Ozone layer protection
The ozone layer is the main protector of Earth from excessively intensive ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the Sun. But unfortunately during the last 20 years the ozone layer over many world regions, including Latvia in fall and winter periods, was too ”thin”. As a result, the probability of skin cancer and eye cataracts increased, immunity weakened, agricultural crops and fishery catch decreased, etc. Results of some researches state that the ozone layer thinning has practically stopped at the present moment, while others state that the „ozone hole” is growing, i.e. in the year 2005 it was almost a record big size. Therefore one shall conclude that exactly this year and several following years will be determinant for ozone layer recovery.
Ozone layer protection is currently supported by 189 countries of the world, including Latvia. For almost all technologies applying ozone layer depletion matters there are replacement alternatives found, and production, trade, and application of theses matters is rapidly decreasing. For example, in the year 1986 the world consumed approximately 1 100 000 tons of HFO or CFC (one of the most widespread ozone layer depletion matters, also named Freon), but in 2001 the total amount of consumed HFO was only 110 000 tons.
Scientists forecast that in case of observation of currently implemented ozone layer protection measures the ozone layer will be recovered up to its normal condition by 2050 - 2060.
More detailed information on the ozone layer protection and related questions: