What is the connection between global warming and ozone depletion???

Answer 1

I'd be interested in that answer myself, if there is one.

The mechanisms are linked by anthropogenic processes, mainly pollution. Global warming is affected by many factors including the slow increase with time of solar radiation. However, it appears that the warming effect caused by the absorbtion of infrared radiation is increased by the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels will increase atmospheric carbon dioxide and studies appear to show that there is a causal effect between recent observations of carbon dioxide concentrations and an increase in average annual temperatures.

Ozone depletion is due triatomic oxygen reacting with fluorocarbons released from man-made sources. This process is somewhat catalytic in nature and can exceed the natural formation rate of ozone through the reaction of ultra-violet radiation with diatomic oxygen. The resulting increase in ultra-violet radiation flux may contribute to some heating as the radiation is absorbed and re-radiated but probably not to any significant degree.

Another effect of pollution may actually be a slight cooling due to particulates and other chemicals encouraging cloud formation. These clouds can reflect radiation away from the Earth, preventing its re-radiation as infrared radiation.

Answer 2

The theory is that the ozone layer way up in the atmosphere provides a sort of shield that protects the earth's surface from the full force of the sun's radiation. Therefore, less ozone could equate to more radiation (heat is a form of radiant energy). There is a theory linking ozone depletion to increased skin cancer rates.

I have heard more about the possible (or likely if you prefer) effects on carbon-based pollutants in the atmosphere. The belief here is that atmospheric pollution keeps heat IN the atmosphere near the earth's surface, rather than letting it diffuse back out into space, and so creates a cumulative warming effect.

Answer 3

I think it's because it's logical. The Ozone protects us from harmful UV rays, warming starts at the sun so Ozone is related to warming. I know that it's not true in this case. I know that CFC's bond with ozone, destroying that level of the atmosphere, and that the reason that CFC's are so deadly to it is that they bond and can float up to the ozone level whereas not many naturally occuring molecules do. but the logic is there, ozone stops sun rays, sun rays warm, ozone is related. That's the real reason most people believe it.

Answer 4

There isn't really a connection.

It is believed that global warming it caused by higher concentrations of greenhouse gases; CO2, CH4, water vapour being the main ones.

Ozone depletion is caused by CFC that react with ozone in the presence of sunlight in the upper atmosphere.

CFC's however are a greenhouse gas too. That is the only connection. The use of CFC's is now prohibited by the Montreal Protocol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Protocol)

Answer 5

None, really, except for a similarity of cause.

Global warming is caused by the entrance of sunlight and carbon dioxide (which are the usual emissions produced by industrial products), which cause heat to be contained in the atmosphere a little while longer.

Ozone depletion is caused by sunlight (the UV rays) and the now mostly-banned emissions, which cause the increased entrance of UV rays (since ozone protects the Earth from UV rays).

I hope this answers your question. -]

Answer 6

There is no connection between GW and the (past) hole in the ozone layer. Ozone will only reflect short wave length (UV)radiation where GW is concerned with long wave radiation (heat)

Answer 7

At this exact point in time, the relationship is pretty much unknown.

Doug

Answer 8

here u go.