OZONE DEPLETION-2

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

OZONE DEPLETION-2

1. Dobson Unit (DU)

The Dobson Unit (DU) is the standard unit used to measure the total amount of ozone present in a vertical column of the Earth's atmosphere. It was named after British physicist Gordon M. B. Dobson, who pioneered ozone measurement. One Dobson Unit represents a layer of pure ozone 0.01 millimetres thick at standard temperature and pressure. The global average ozone concentration is about 300 DU. Lower values indicate ozone depletion, while values below 220 DU generally signify the presence of an ozone hole. Dobson Units are essential for monitoring changes in the ozone layer and environmental protection.

2. Ozone Hole

An ozone hole refers to a region where the ozone concentration in the stratosphere falls below 220 Dobson Units (DU). It occurs mainly over Antarctica during the Southern Hemisphere's spring (September–November). Extremely cold temperatures allow the formation of polar stratospheric clouds, where chlorine and bromine released from CFCs react and destroy ozone molecules rapidly. The ozone hole increases harmful UV-B radiation reaching the Earth's surface, affecting humans, plants, and marine ecosystems. International efforts under the Montreal Protocol have significantly reduced ozone-depleting substances, and scientific observations indicate that the ozone hole is gradually recovering.

3. National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was launched by the Government of India on 30 June 2008 under Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. It provides a comprehensive strategy to address climate change while promoting sustainable economic development. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) coordinates its implementation. The plan consists of eight national missions, each focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, Himalayan ecosystem protection, forestry, sustainable habitat, and climate knowledge. NAPCC seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and ensure environmentally sustainable development in India.

4. National Solar Mission

The National Solar Mission, launched in 2010, is one of the eight missions under NAPCC. Its objective is to promote solar energy generation and reduce India's dependence on fossil fuels. The mission encourages large-scale solar parks, rooftop solar systems, research, manufacturing of solar equipment, and rural electrification through solar power. It aims to make solar energy affordable, reliable, and widely accessible. The mission contributes significantly to India's renewable energy targets, energy security, and reduction of carbon emissions. It also supports employment generation, technological innovation, and sustainable economic growth while combating climate change.

5. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE)

The National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) was launched in 2011 to improve energy efficiency across industries, buildings, and households. It promotes efficient use of energy through market-based mechanisms, energy-saving technologies, and financial incentives. The mission includes initiatives such as Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT), Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency (MTEE), Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEFP), and Framework for Energy Efficient Economic Development (FEEED). By reducing energy consumption, the mission lowers greenhouse gas emissions, decreases production costs, enhances industrial competitiveness, and contributes to India's sustainable development and climate goals.

6. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat

The National Mission on Sustainable Habitat focuses on making Indian cities environmentally sustainable. It promotes energy-efficient buildings, improved urban planning, efficient public transport, solid waste management, recycling, and water conservation. The mission encourages green buildings, clean technologies, rainwater harvesting, and better sanitation systems. It aims to reduce pollution, improve urban infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for citizens. Sustainable habitat planning helps lower greenhouse gas emissions while supporting economic growth. The mission also strengthens climate resilience by promoting environmentally friendly development practices and reducing the ecological footprint of rapidly growing urban areas.

7. National Water Mission

The National Water Mission aims to conserve water resources and improve water-use efficiency across India. It encourages integrated water resource management, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, efficient irrigation techniques, and river basin management. The mission seeks to increase water-use efficiency by 20% through better technologies and governance. It also promotes equitable distribution of water and sustainable management of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater. With climate change increasing water scarcity, the mission plays a crucial role in ensuring water security for agriculture, industries, ecosystems, and households while supporting sustainable development.

8. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem

The National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) aims to conserve the fragile Himalayan environment. Climate change is causing glacier melting, biodiversity loss, landslides, and changes in water availability across the Himalayan region. This mission promotes scientific research, biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism, forest management, disaster preparedness, and protection of mountain communities. It strengthens monitoring of glaciers and ecosystems while encouraging adaptation strategies for local populations. The mission supports long-term ecological balance because the Himalayas are the source of many major Indian rivers and play a critical role in regulating reginal climate.

9. National Mission for a Green India (Green India Mission)

The Green India Mission, approved in 2014, seeks to increase forest and tree cover while restoring degraded ecosystems. It aims to enhance ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, soil protection, and water security. The mission involves afforestation, reforestation, community participation, and sustainable forest management. It also supports livelihoods of forest-dependent communities by promoting eco-friendly development. Increasing forest cover helps absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, reducing the impacts of climate change. The mission contributes to India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and strengthens ecological resilience across the country.

10. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) promotes climate-resilient farming practices that improve agricultural productivity while protecting natural resources. The mission encourages efficient irrigation, soil health management, drought-resistant crop varieties, organic farming, agroforestry, and weather-based crop planning. It helps farmers adapt to climate change by reducing vulnerability to droughts, floods, and changing rainfall patterns. Sustainable agriculture improves food security while conserving water, soil, and biodiversity. The mission also supports the use of renewable energy in agriculture and promotes environmentally friendly farming methods that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance long-term agricultural sustainability.