Our Hole Concern' Special feature on Ozone

 

A.Vasantha

 

Ozone, as we all know, is a form of oxygen present in small quantities in earth’s atmosphere and a major factor in making life on this planet possible. The earth’s atmosphere is made up of several layers. Our immediate layer is known as Troposphere where most of the weather occurs such as rain, snow and clouds. Above this layer is the Stratosphere where most of the ozone is found and the ozone layer is the region of the atmosphere from 19 to 48 kilometres above the earth’s surface. It is in this region that effects such as ozone hole band global warming originate. The ozone layer is thinnest in the Tropics (around Equator) and denser towards the poles. The amount of ozone above a point on the earth’s surface is measured in Dobson’s Units (DUs) -typically 260 Dus near the tropics and higher elsewhere. There, however are large fluctuations. It is this layer which is critically important for it protects the life on earth from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiations from the sun; it shields the earth from 95 to 99 per cent of the ultra violet rays over exposure which causes skin cancer.

 

Ozone is formed in the stratosphere by the action of sunlight on ordinary oxygen present in the air of the upper atmosphere. Photochemical and electric discharges are responsible for the conversion of oxygen into ozone. The ozone layer is hot, probably 420 Centigrade as it absorbs heat from the sun and protects us from the sunlight. This action has been going on for millions of years and the nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere apparently have kept the ozone concentration at a fairly stable level. The destruction of ozone layer is supposed to cause increases in skin cancer and damage to certain crops and the marine food web.

 

Ironically, the presence of ozone in the lower atmosphere is harmful and it is considered a pollutant. Ozone in the lower atmosphere is formed by chemical reactions between sunlight and pollutants already in the air. A well-known example is that of chemical smog Ozone forms a part of this smog and exposure to certain concentration causes headaches, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract. It can also directly damage rubber, plastic, plant and animal tissue.

 

Ozone Hole

 

In the mid 1970’s some scientists found a decrease in ozone in the upper atmosphere and they attributed this decrease to the large scale use of chloroflurocarbons popularly known as the CFCs at that time .The CFCs are man-made chemicals used in refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosols and solvents in the production of some type of packing. The CFCs when released into the atmosphere slowly reach the upper regions The sun’s ultraviolet rays break them apart. In this process chlorine is released which reacts with ozone molecules, thereby reducing the amount of it. The destruction of ozone is estimated to be up to 100,000 per CFC molecule.

 

Scientists also discovered that the decrease of ozone in the upper atmosphere depends on the latitude. The decrease was found to be the strongest in the regions over the South Pole where it forms a ‘hole’. The so-called ozone hole, a thinned region of the ozone layer, develops in the Antarctic spring and continues for several months thickening again. The maximum ozone loss seems to occur during late September.

 

The existence of an ozone hole was first reported by research scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. It was found over Halley Bay in 1985.Ever since the ozone hole is being watched carefully every year by scientists. For the last six years the ozone hole has been seen to cover 24 million square kilometres. This year the ozone hole reveals some interesting features. Firstly, it is the smallest compared to the last four years covering almost 16 million square kilometers. Yet the scientific community feels that this loss is considerable. The second unusual occurrence is that the ozone hole has split into two lobes instead of staying in one blob generally centered over Antarctica. This does not mean that the ozone depletion activities have decreased, says NASA scientist Newmann. According to him it is due to weird weather conditions.

 

The initial findings regarding the decrease of ozone layer was surprising to the scientists and they started doubting their own instruments. In 1986 a Ozone Trend Panel was set by NASA together with such organizations as World Meteorological Organization(WMO) and United Nations Environment Programmed (UNEP). To study ozone depletion in the atmosphere, extensive data were collected using weather satellites and other ground instruments. The members of the panel confirmed in March 1988 that the ozone layer was decreasing. Similarly, Germany and France launched a project called Chemistry of Ozone in the Polar Stratosphere (CHEOPS) to study ozone depletion in the northern regions. These studies showed that the Arctic region was also experiencing a similar problem. The (WMO) observed a 45 per cent depletion of ozone layer over one third of northern hemisphere from Greenland to Siberia for several days during the winter of 1995-1996.

Montreal Protocol

 

While scientists were studying the upper atmosphere, actions were initiated at global level to tackle the problem of ozone depletion, In 1985 the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer outlined the responsibilities for protecting human health and environment against the effects of depletion.

 

The next landmark development was the Montreal Protocol. The Treaty was originally signed in 1987 and subsequently amended in 1990 and 1992 as our scientific knowledge about ozone chemistry grew. This is the first global agreement in which nations agreed to restrict the production of CFCs. The Treaty took effect on January1,1989 when it was ratified by 36 nations including the United States of America. The Montreal Protocol stipulated that the production and consumption of compounds that delete ozone in the stratosphere- the CFCs, the halons, carbon tetra chloride and choloroform- are to be phased out by 2000. Consequent upon this the production of CFCs in the developed countries ceased by 1995 and the developing countries agreed to phase it out by 2010.

In 1990 a re- evaluation of the Montreal protocol established that though the production of CFCs has slowed down, the substitutes introduced in their place were also harmful to the ozone layer especially the Hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs). The countries have now agreed to phase out these also- the developed countries by 2030 and the developing countries by 2010. Recognizing their responsibilities countries of the European Community are leading the movement by imposing stricter measures in the control of CFCs and other compounds. The developing countries including India are willing participants in these efforts.

 

India being a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, created a ‘Ozone Cell’ in the Ministry of Environment and Forests on April 1, 1993. It deals with all works relating to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and Montreal Convention for phasing out the ozone depleting substances (ODS). keralamonitor.com

 

 

PM Calls for depiction of variedness of life in films

 

RELEASES BOOK ON MATINEE IDOL DR. AKKINENI NAGESHWAR RAO

The Prime Minister Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee has asked the Film industry not to be monotonous and portray life in all its colours and shades of emotions. Shri Vajpayee was releasing a book "Living Legend – Dr. Akkineni" here today. The Prime Minister asked, "When life is so rich and complex, when there are so many colours and shades of emotions and experiences in life, why do our films generally try to stick to a stereotype?"

The Prime Minister further said "In India we have many great literary works – ancient, medieval and modern. I would urge our filmmakers to be bold and creative and choose powerful themes from the great works of Indian literature. Make films that will captivate generations of Indian film lovers with their emotional and moral force." The full text of Prime Minister’s speech on the occasion is as follows:

 

I am truly pleased to be with all of you this evening to honour Dr. Akkineni, the doyen of Tulugu cinema and a legendary name in Indian Cinema. We have the legend himself in our midst, and that makes the occasion more memorable. In ancient times we had samraats who ruled large kingdoms and whose names are often recorded with pride in history. But samraats now belong solely to the past. In the age of democracy, there is no place for emperors and empires.

 

However, there is one set of samraats whose rule continues even in our own times. These are the nat samraats. They rule over the hearts and minds of million of their admirers. Their empire often crosses geographical and cultural boundaries. Dr. Akkineni Nageshwar Rao is one such nat samraat. He may have stopped acting in films, but he remains an evergreen hero for all those Telugu people who have seen him playing a wide range of characters in hundreds of films.

 

Friends, I have quickly glanced through the book Living Legend, which I had the pleasure of releasing a while ago. I was astonished by the sheer variety of roles that this popular film hero has played during his long and distinguished career.

From pauranik films to patriotic films, from romantic films to those based on rural life, from social films like Devdas to those depicting the lives of great cultural celebrities like Kalidas and Sant Tukaram – this popular actor has played of all these roles, and more.

I wonder whether actors in modern times get to play such a wide range of social, psychological and historical characters. I am not trying to criticize the film industry of today. And if there is criticism, I would like it to be taken in the right spirit. But I cannot help wondering – and often feeling sad – why so many of the films these days look so monotonous?

 

When life is so rich and complex, when there are so many colours and shades of emotion and experiences in life, why do our films generally try to stick to a stereotype ?

It is not that the compulsion to stick to a stereotype comes from the audience. No. For example, take the success of the film Devdas. It has been made and re-made in many Indian languages. Even the latest creation has been widely appreciated. And I can tell you that I too have watched it and liked it much. It is our deserving entry for the Oscars next year and I do hope that it wins it. Incidentally, I am told that, one of the best roles of Devdas has been played by Dr. Akkineni.

 

But let us ask ourselves: What is the secret of the success of Devdas? I sould say that it is the power of the story by the great writer Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, who is one of my favorites writers. In India we have many great literary works – ancient, medieval and modern. I would urge our filmmakers to be bold and creative and choose powerful themes from the great works of Indian literature. Make films that will captivate generations of Indian film lovers with their emotional and moral force.

 

One more thought. Indian film industry is not just Bollywood. Cinema is non-Hindi languages in our country has a rich and proud tradition. Along with Hindi cinema, it has played a great role in promoting national integration and in celebrating different aspects of our diverse social and cultural life. I think that there should be greater awareness of non-Hindi Indian cinema, both within and without our country. I was reading the preface by Dr. C. Narayan Reddy, the great Telugu writer, Gyanpith award winner and member of the Rajya Sabha. I was struck by his description that Dr. Akkineni as "a synonym for refined acting".

 

The difference between gross and subtle acting is the refined art of Bhava. Our ancient Natya Shastra has made a deep study of this aspect and explained what is the right emotion and expression for different circumstances and different characters. I am sure that actors of the new generation can learn a lot in this department from Dr. Akkineni.

Friends, I would like to express myself on one more aspect of today’s films. But rather thanput it in my words, I would like to borrow Dr. Akkineni’s words to convey my thought and my concerns. In this book, there is a very informative interview in which the actor has been asked many questions about his life and art. In one of them, his comments have been sought on the depiction of romance on screen today. Here is Dr. Akkineni’s reply and I quote:

 

"There is no romance, only sex exhibition. You need some 50 dancers in the background to enhance the mood. Earlier there used to be ‘bhava’ in every moment – bhava, which came from ‘janapada’……. Now everything is done mechanically. The trouble with me is I cannot criticize the film industry. I am a child of the film industry. I cannot criticize my family members. I feel sorry inside. Film-making is a coordinated effort and change should come from within as it affects everybody." Very wise words. From a wise and versatile actor. My kudos to him. And thanks to all of you. Apart from Dr. Akkineni, BJP National president Shri Venkaiah Naidu and a number of prominent personalities from Andhra Pradesh were also present on the occasion. - keralamonitor.com