ВУЗ:
Составители:
Рубрика:
face are damaging to human health, air quality, biological life, and certain materials such as plastics. Human
health effects include increases in the incidence of certain types of skin cancers, cataracts and immune defi-
ciency disorders. Increased penetration of UV results in additional production of ground level ozone, which
causes respiratory illnesses. Biologically, UV affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, altering growth, food
chains and biochemical cycles. In particular, aquatic life occurring just below the surface of the water, where
plant species forming the basis of the food chain are most abundant, are adversely affected by elevated levels of
UV radiation. The tensile properties of certain plastics can be affected by exposure to UV radiation. Depletion
of stratospheric ozone also alters the temperature distribution in the atmosphere, resulting in indeterminate en-
vironmental and climatic impacts.
Despite existing regulation of ODS, there continues to be severe ozone depletion and maximum strato-
spheric levels of chlorine and bromine are predicted to occur only during the next decade. Without further
measures, the ozone hole will continue to exist beyond 2050. However, the success of the Montreal Protocol
has already been observed in terms of changes in the concentrations of man-made chlorine-containing chemi-
cals in the troposphere (i.e. the rates of release of ODS to the atmosphere have been reduced). Additional meas-
ures are currently being proposed by the European Commission to accelerate the phase out of various ODS and
thereby to provide much-needed additional protection for the ozone layer.
You have already taken the first steps to help protect the ozone layer by informing yourself of the problem
and its causes. Try to find out as much as you can about the problem from publications, schools or public librar-
ies. The only way to mend the ozone hole is to stop the release of CFCs and other ozone depleting substances
(ODS) into the atmosphere. European legislation aims to achieve this by phasing out ODS as soon as viable al-
ternatives become available, and where no such alternatives are available, restricting the use of these substances
as far as possible. However, there are a number of practical initiatives, which can be taken at the individual
level to help protect the ozone layer: try to use products, which are labeled "ozone-friendly".
Ensure technicians repairing your refrigerator or air conditioner recover and recycle the old CFCs so they
are not released into the atmosphere.
Vehicle air conditioning units should regularly be checked for leaks.
Ask about converting your car to a substitute refrigerant if the a/c system needs major repair.
Remove the refrigerant from refrigerators, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers before disposing of them.
Help start a refrigerant recovery and recycling program in your area if none already exists.
Suggest school activities to increase awareness of the problem and to initiate local action.
There is a direct link between increased exposure to UV radiation and elevated risk of contracting certain
types of skin cancers. Risk factors include skin type, sunburn during childhood, and exposure to intense
sunlight. Recent changes in lifestyle, with more people going on holiday and deliberately increasing their expo-
sure to strong sunlight, are partly responsible for an increase in malignant skin cancers. In order to minimize the
risk of contracting skin cancer, cover exposed skin with clothing or with a suitable sunscreen, wear a hat, and
wear UV-certified sunglasses to protect the eyes.
12. A NEW LOOK AT HUMAN EXTINCTION
The very powerful technologies of the new Millennium – from robotics, genetic engineering and nanotech-
nologies – "are threatening to make humans an endangered species," according to the April 2000 issue of
"Wired Magazine" ("Why the Future Doesn't Need Us") in an article by Billy Joy, co-founder and chief scien-
tist of Sun Microsystems. As man's dependence on technology continues to substantially increase, so does his
progress in developing intelligent machines that can and will do all things better than humans can do them-
selves. In a way, it is the technological version of Charles Darwin's "survival of the fitted." If technological
evolution reaches the point where sophisticated systems of machines can function on a cognitive level, and
make decisions and perform tasks without the need for any human intervention whatsoever, then, as Mr. Joy
points out, the human race would be at the mercy of machines.
So, why doesn't the future need us? Mr. Joy covers this possibility in extraordinary thought which consid-
ers a simple theme in our efforts to improve the quality of our lives, we – humans – strive to make things that
can do things better than we can ourselves. In so doing, we create things that replace what humans once did ex-
clusively. Just consider such simple creations as the calculator, remote control devices, personal computers and
microwave ovens.
