Implications to Society

 

How does CFCs and a depleting ozone affect humans and other living organisms in general?

The depletion of ozone allows more UV light to pass through which in turn can cause these harmful implications:

1) Impact on human health:

  • Skin cancers, sunburns and premature aging of the skin.
  • Cataracts, blindness and other eye diseases: UV radiation damages several parts of the eye – lens, cornea, retina and conjunctiva. A sustained 10% thinning of the ozone layer is expected to result in almost two million new cases of cataracts per year, globally (Environment Canada, 1993).
  • Weakening of the human immune system (immunosuppression). Findings suggest that too much UV radiation can suppress the human immune system.

2) Impact on society:

  • Plants. Physiological and developmental processes of plants and plant growth are affected by the amount of UV radiation.
  • Several of the world’s major crop species are particularly vulnerable to increased UV. These species include wheat, rice, barley, oats, corn, soybeans, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower, broccoli and carrots.
  • Marine ecosystems. Phytoplankton (organism in the surface layer of the ocean), the first step of the aquatic food chains are particularly affected by the increase in UV. Scientists have demonstrated a direct reduction in phytoplankton production due to ozone depletion-related increases in UV. Decreases in plankton could disrupt the fresh and saltwater food chains.
  • UV radiation also causes damage in early developmental stages of fish, shrimp, crab and amphibians. One effect is a decrease in reproductive capacity. A small increase in UV exposure could result in significant reduction in the size of the population of these fishes, which would then affect the population size of mammals and animals higher in the food chain.

 

The image shows the aquatic food chain. Phytoplanktons growth is affected by the UV rays and planktons are the first level of the chain meaning that a decrease in plankton would affect the survival of those in the higher levels.

  • Biogeochemical cycles. Increases in solar UV radiation affects biogeochemical cycles, altering concentrations of chemically important trace gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbonyl sulfide (COS) and ozone. These changes would contribute as positive feedbacks that reinforce the atmospheric buildup of such gases.
  • Materials. Wood, plastic, rubber, fabrics and many construction materials are degraded by UV radiation. Today’s materials are protected from UVB by special additives. Any increase in UV levels will accelerate their breakdown, reducing the time for which they can be used. The economic impact of replacing or protecting materials could be significant.

3) Impact on Singapore:

  • CFCs that destroy the ozone are also potent greenhouse gases and can be considered a minor player in greenhouse warming. An increase in greenhouse warming will lead to global warming and because of this, Singapore is already experiencing an increase in mean surface temperature and this leads to an increase in the amount of rainfall and sea level. Much of Singapore’s land is less than 15m above sea level, making Singapore very vulnerable to flooding.

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What has Singapore done over the years to prevent CFCs from depleting the ozone layer?

The Singapore government has implemented some measures and taken some steps to prevent and reduce CFCs and its resultant impact on the ozone.

For instance, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adopted the Kyoto Protocol. The Convention seeks to mitigate the effects of climate change by limiting the emission of greenhouse gases. These gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, hydroflurocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. Greenhouse gases trap UV light, which warms the atmosphere, potentially triggering an environmental chain reaction that could raise the sea level, change ocean current flows and intensify damage from storms, droughts and the spread of tropical diseases.

As such, In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Singapore. It legally binds countries to emission reduction targets. Singapore was 1 of the 38 industrialized nations to cut their collective greenhouse gas emissions to 5.2% below the 1990 levels from the period 2008-2012.

In addition, Singapore is also promoting energy efficiency and resource conservation. Singapore has also adopted a policy to limit carbon emissions in a numbers of sectors, particularly in transport and energy.

Here is a timeline showing explicitly some steps Singapore has taken to control ozone-depleting substances.

Date Control Measures
5 Oct 1989 Implement Quota Allocation System for Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
5 Feb 1991 Prohibit the import and manufacture of non-pharmaceutical aerosol products and polystyrene sheets/products containing controlled CFCs.
1 Jan 1992 (a) Prohibit the use of Halon 1301 for new fire protection systems.(b) Prohibit the import of Halon 2402.
1 Jan 1993 Prohibit the import of new air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment using CFC 11 and CFC 12.
1 Jan 1994 Prohibit the import of Halon 1211 and Halon 1301
15 Apr 1994 Prohibit the import of fire-extinguishers filled with Halon 1211.
1 Jan 1995 All new cars must be equipped with non-CFC air-conditioning systems.
1 Apr 1995 Prohibit the import of HBFCs.
1 Jan 1996 Prohibit the import of CFCs, carbon tetrachloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane(Methyl Chloroform).
1 Jan 2002 Freeze the consumption of Methyl Bromide (MeBr) for non-quarantineand pre-shipment (non-QPS) applications*.*Note: Quarantine applications – Include treatments to prevent the introduction, establishment, and/or SPREAD of quarantine pests, or to ensure their official control.Pre-shipment applications – These include non-quarantine methyl bromide applications within 21 days prior to export that are required to meet the official requirements of the importing or exporting countries.
1 Jan 2013 Implement Quota Allocation Framework for Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) for gradual phase-out of HCFCs by 2030.
1 Jan 2015 Phase-out of Methyl Bromide (MeBr) for non-quarantine and pre-shipment (non-QPS) applications.

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How can WE as individuals help?

Reducing the amount of CFCs and other greenhouse gases requires the effort of every single person. Some ways that we as individuals can reduce emissions are:

  •       Taking public transport, choosing to cycle or walk to destinations whenever possible
  •       Car pooling
  •       Using energy efficient appliances
  •       Avoid buying products which contain CFCs
  •       Ensure proper disposal of products with CFCs, such as air conditioners, through a waste management company

                 

We hope that after seeing the serious implications that a depleting ozone has on us humans and the society, we will play an active role together to reduce our emissions of CFCs. Every small step makes a BIG difference, so let us make a difference starting today!

 

(References from:
http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/ozone-depletion-impacts.html
http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/science/effects/index.html
https://www.nccs.gov.sg/nccs-2012/docs/NCCS-2012-Publication.pdf
law.nus.edu.sg/apcel/publications/pub/…/Singapore_Clean_Air.pdf
http://www.nea.gov.sg/anti-pollution-radiation-protection/chemical-safety/multilateral-environmental-agreements/ozone-depleting-substances
http://www.slideshare.net/chenyugin/sec23-geog-chapt10-global-warming)