Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for concern? What steps are being taken to limit this damage?

Explanation

The ozone gas layer high up in the atmosphere is very important for the existence of life on earth because it absorbs most of the hermful ultraviolet radiations caming from the sun and prevents them from reaching the earth. The damage to the ozone layer is a cause for concern because damage to ozone layer will make it thinner which will allow much more hermful ultraviolet radiations (coming from the sun) to reach the earth. These ultraviolet radiations can then cause skin cancer in humans. They can also damage the eyes by causing an eye disease called catarct. Ultraviolet rays damage immune system by lowering the body's resistance to diseases. They also damage crop plants. In fact, if too much damage occurs to the ozone layer and it disappears completely, then all the life on the earth would be destroyed gradually. The depletion of ozone layer is due to the use of chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)in refrigeration, fire extinguishers and aerosol sprayers. So, in 1987, in an attempt to protect ozone layer, the United Nations Environment programme (UNEP) forged an agreement among its member countries to freeze CFC production at 1986 levels. The chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are now being replaced by hydroflurorocarbons (HFCs) which do not damage the ozone layer.