Nobel
Laureate Prof. Paul Crutzen
Director, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, GermanyProf Paul Crutzen described the Ozone hole has been the most
dramatic example of a human-induced change in global atmospheric chemistry system. He
highlighted the important role of the tropospheric ozone layer in the production of
hydroxyl radicals, which are the main oxidising agents and have a cleansing action for
most gases. The tropics and sub-tropics act as the "laundry place of the atmosphere
'due to maximum hydroxyl concentrations in these regions.
With increasing populations and industrial/ agricultural
activities in the developing world, the largest changes in the atmospheric chemistry are
expected to take place in these regions. Measurement of air pollution by satellites have
indicated high levels of photochemical smog in these regions
Prof Crutzen therefore made a plea for much bigger
participation from the scientists of developing countries, especially India, in research
on ozone layer depletion.
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Real video
"Even if temperatures have gone up by a
few degrees, it is not the end of the world. We must render that there is another century
after this one." |
