Atmosphere

According to Merriam Dictionary, atmosphere is defined as the gaseous envelope of a celestial body (as a planet). Without the atmosphere, the planet will have no protective gear from the harmful UV rays and the temperature will not be controlled. It’s the atmosphere function to regulate the planet’s temperature. This is known as heat retention (greenhouse effect) and temperature change between day and night. As a matter of fact, the year 2012 is the 9^th hottest year for the globe since 1880 as stated by NASA.  Another important function of the atmosphere is to hold important gasses necessary to sustain life; hereby highlighting the significance of atmosphere to the planet and to us.

However, as time went by, humanity neglected the importance of atmosphere. Different activities are widely practiced throughout the planet. These activities are unhealthy and causing further problems with the planet’s atmosphere; practices such as usage of ozone depleting substances, air pollutants, and deforestation among others are contributing to the problems.

Thus, atmospheric environmental issues arise. Air pollution for an instant is a known problem. It does not only endanger every living creature but also signifies the lifestyle of the community involved. Another issue is called Ozone Depletion. It is defined as the result of the complex set of circumstances and chemistry. In 1980s, it was discovered that it was already depleted where Antarctica was one of the affected places. And the list of atmospheric environmental issues goes on with the effects of global warming to the atmosphere, climate change, acid rain and atmospheric pollution among others.

Moving on, it’s not always bad news. Recently, sciencedaily.com published an article about the recovery of the Ozone layer over the North Pole. As stated in the article, it is expected to recover by the end of the century. This improvement is the result of The Montreal Protocol (an agreement designed to protect the ozone layer). It only shows change for the planet is still possible, that there’s still hope after all.

Therefore, it is important for innovations of machineries, strategies and techniques that will ease everyday living with lesser impacts to the atmosphere.  The planet’s atmosphere should always be considered as it keeps the planet livable.