To the Board of Directors:
Attached is a project representing the research for a potential problem in our environment, the depletion of our ozone layer. Our goal is to educate you, and everyone in elementary school or above, in how to help solve or at least lessen the impact of this problem’s affect on our environment.
The ozone layer is very important to our world. It is a protective layer of pure oxygen that keeps ultraviolet rays from hitting the earth. UV rays can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and harm to eyes, plants, and animals. (Ozone Science: The Facts Behind the Phaseout) They can also lead to genetic deformities and mutations, which in turn could lead to death or destruction of life forms. Within the past years, the ozone layer has lessened greatly in percentages, between 10-12% decrease per decade in the areas of the world around the equator. (Case study: Ozone layer depletion and the Montréal Protocol) "It is estimated that a 10-15% ozone depletion would result in a 15-20% increase in the occurrence of skin cancer" (Ozone Layer Depletion) ,
As this problem affects everyone in the world, we hope that our methods of communication about the destruction of the ozone layer will make more people aware that it is a very threatening problem. Once mothers, fathers, and even children realize how dangerous the destruction of the ozone layer can be, we hope that they will heed our advice and make an effort to solve or at least lessen the problem.
We chose to display our research of the ozone as a billboard. Why? There are a few reasons. A billboard is bright, big, and flashy. It will attract people’s attention. Most everyone travels, usually in cars, and a billboard is big enough to catch the eye of the driver. By using the main highways as hosts for our billboards, we will reach a large number of the population in a relatively short amount of time (and every day, too!). News of our research will be spread by word of mouth also, and we will post a contact website for anyone to get in touch with us if they have questions. By doing all of this, we hope to draw in many people who are concerned about their environment.
Now we realize that most people aren’t concerned about the destruction of the ozone layer - yet. Many believe that it is not even a problem. With our research, we plan to show them just how much of a problem it is becoming. Once they see a visual of the threat that ozone depletion is posing on Earth, people might become wary and be more inclined to help out. We plan to give them easy, simple ways to help lessen the destruction of the ozone layer. Realizing it doesn’t take much to lessen the impact, people might be less disgruntled when asked to change a few of their habits.
We’re talking minor changes in their everyday lives. Because exhaust fumes from cars are extremely harmful to the ozone, we listed a few things people could do to lessen the amount of exhaust that is emitted. These things include using rotary lawn mowers instead of gas ones, riding the bus, walking, riding a bike, or even carpooling (you'll get to ride with your friends!) instead having a car for everyone in the family. Planting trees is also recommended, as they provide oxygen.
Our billboards and website will remind them of these things they can do to help out, and also inform them of things they might not be aware of, such as rolling down the car windows instead of using air conditioning (CFC refrigerants are very harmful to our environment as they contain the atom chlorine, which one atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules) (The Process of Ozone Depletion). They could turn their heat down at night (which would be less usage of gas), open windows and use screen doors to let cool air from outside in instead of use air conditioning (again stressing the fact that CFC refrigerants are extremely destructive, and any leakage of this chemical should be fixed).
Other helpful tips to saving our ozone layer include using compost piles to fertilize the dirt to help oxygen producing trees grow healthier and stronger. Recycling, taking reusable canvas bags to the grocery store instead of using the offered paper (hence saving trees), buying recycled products, not littering, and using natural products for cleaning are all things that are helpful to lessen the depletion of the ozone layer. It is also very important to buy products that use pump sprays instead of accelerants, as these are extremely harmful to the ozone. Buying small farm products (those who don't use pesticides), and participating in environment friendly activities, are also very helpful things one can do to help the environment.
All of these things are easy to do and would help make a difference. It gives one a sense of importance, usefulness - they actually made a difference! Every little thing counts, and we need all the help we can get.
And so, Board of Directors, I conclude. By helping the world become more aware of the depletion of the ozone layer, we hope that the destruction will be lessened. I hope you accept this letter and give us permission to print these billboards along the highway. They are for a good cause. We also plan to be sending brochures out to neighborhoods with information on the ozone layer and what individuals can do to help (one will be sent to you later). This information can also be found on our website (www.mromalleyidontknowwhattoputheresothisisitsorry.com). We thank you for your time and concern.
Sincerely,
Cally Willette, Co-President
LeAnne Thomas-Gullick, Co-President
Burt Kroes, Co-President
P.S. Included is a bibliography to show our references of information.
Bibliography
"The Process of Ozone Depletion." U.S. EPA: Ozone Depletion. 08 Mar 2006. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. 21 May 2006 .
"Ozone Science: The Facts Behind the Phaseout." U.S. EPA: Ozone Depletion. 08 Mar 2006. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. 21 May 2006
.
"Case study: Ozone layer depletion and the Montréal Protocol." Statistics: Power from the Data!. 14 Feb
2006. Statistics Canada. 21 May 2006
.
"Ozone Layer Depletion." The Environment; A Global Challenge. Think Quest. 21 May 2006
.
