This article will discuss the highly controversial proposed link between ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect. There is no individual link between ozone depletion and the effect of greenhouse gases; however, chlorofluorocarbons, a greenhouse gas that depletes the ozone, are an exception. Ozone acts as a shield that covers the Earth in the stratosphere like an invisible globe, allowing some of the sun's UV rays to be absorbed. Ozone depletion has many effects on us as Earth's inhabitants and on other animals, species, wildlife, and life on Earth as we know it. This is due to changing radioactive forcing on the Earth's surface which dramatically alters the amount of UV rays the Earth absorbs (which without ozone would be deadly to life on Earth). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Ozone (O3) is triatomic elemental oxygen that forms a protective layer in the Earth's stratosphere. Ozone is a very reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. As mentioned above, there has recently been a depletion of ozone levels caused by chemicals known as CFCs. CFC stands for chlorofluorocarbons, a chemical consisting mainly of chlorine, oxygen, fluorine and carbon. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were first introduced in the 1930s and quickly became a $28 billion a year industry due to the stability and non-toxicity of the gas and the wide range of uses it contained. The gas was found to be cheap to produce and was used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and as propellants in aerosol sprays (Elkins, 1999). After the synthesis and commercialization of this gas, in 1973 it was finally discovered that it caused a harmful, irreversible thinning of the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere. CFCs are made up of chlorine (Cl), oxygen (O), fluorine (F) and carbon (C). When rays of ultraviolet (UV) light hit the CFCl3 molecules and break the bond, releasing the chlorine atom.CFCl3 + UV → CFCl2 + ClThe chlorine atom is now free in the stratosphere and has the potential to break down the layer ozone layer.Cl + O3 → ClO + O2ClO + O → Cl + O2The chlorine atom is now free again to attack another ozone molecule, thus creating a major problem for the longevity of the ozone layer that protects the our earth since a chlorine atom can remain in the stratosphere for a long time after it has been released. The greenhouse effect is a natural process in which the Earth is warmed 33 degrees Celsius more than it would otherwise be, so that life on Earth can exist. When the sun's rays reach Earth's atmosphere, some of the energy is reflected back into space and the rest is absorbed to warm the Earth and reradiated by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide (Department of Environment, 2014). Although the greenhouse effect is a natural process, the enhanced greenhouse effect has recently become a problem due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions by humans, making the enhanced greenhouse effect an anthropogenic means (Department of 'Environment, 2014). The increase in the greenhouse effect is an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere such as chlorofluorocarbons. This ties back to the cause of ozone depletion, the release of CFCs into the atmosphere. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay This shows that there is no individual link between Ozone depletion and greenhouse gas effect, however chlorofluorocarbons.