Routine remote observations are made over a range of altitudes from the lower stratosphere to the lower thermosphere. The breadth of measurements, in terms of altitude and number of parameters, facilitates the understanding of upper atmosphere structure and behavior. After years of observation and experimentation, it seems clear that the ozone layer is affected by natural and manmade activities. And while the effects of natural events, such as volcanic eruptions, pose little threat to the equilibrium of the global Earth system, human activities are generating detrimental long-term trends which may prove to be irreversible.
Ozone is a relatively unstable molecule in Earth's atmosphere.
An ozone molecule is made up of three atoms of oxygen. Although it represents only a tiny fraction of the atmosphere, ozone is crucial for life on Earth. Effects of Ozone Depending on where ozone resides, it can protect or harm life on Earth. Without this shield, we would be more susceptible to skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems. It is also considered to be a greenhouse gas, which may contribute to global warming.