Hi, my name is Aaditya Saha. In reference to the September theme, I believe that the ozone layer can be completely mended by a global effort to reduce plastic production and consumption.

Ozone depletion is obviously a serious problem. It causes an increase in the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches Earth's surface, which in turn increases the rate of skin cancer, eye cataracts, and genetic and immune system damage. Ultraviolet radiation can affect the development of both plants and animals, alter biogeochemical cycles, and break down all types of materials. This global issue is far-reaching and has therefore been one that climate scientists have been researching and trying to solve for decades. In 1987, there was an international agreement to try to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): chlorine-containing chemicals that help trigger the destruction of stratospheric ozone, which screens out the cancer-causing ultraviolet light. Many companies and people have made a conscious effort to help solve this environmental crisis. Ergo, new studies show that the ozone layer is slowly closing up.   

Plastic has been shown to let out harmful chemicals when it degrades. Among the greenhouse gases, it spews is methane, which absorbs the sun?s heat and warms the atmosphere. Because of these greenhouse gases, the Ozone Layer had been steadily thinning. While our bans on the production of certain chemicals worked to change the direction of ozone depletion, the efforts could have been tripled by not producing as much plastic. In fact, studies conducted by National Geographic in 2015 estimated that 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean each year, and that number will grow tenfold by 2020. As a Chinese proverb states, the best time to change our plastic consumption habits was 20 years ago, but the second best time is now.

It isn?t plausible for one 14 year old alone to actively change the Ozone Layer in Earth?s atmosphere. A major change will come only if the global community takes serious action. In order to combat Ozone depletion, we need to convince people to stop using single-use plastic. We need more people to use reusable plastics or to completely reject plastic for other more sustainable materials. For example, single-use plastic bags are one of the most common plastic items. While they are extremely cheap and easy to use, a more sustainable solution would be to buy or create your own tote bag to use during shopping. Another solution is using glass straws at all restaurants instead of throwing away plastic straws after one use. These solutions are easy to implement domestically and internationally. By changing these seemingly small practices that we don?t even think about on a day to day basis, we can really stop the depletion of the ozone in our atmosphere.  

References:

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/06/ozone-layer-mend-thanks-chemical-ban

https://www.surfrider.org/coastal-blog/entry/the-link-between-fossil-fuels-single-use-plastics-and-climate-change