Lumen Winter 2023 - Flipbook - Page 11
Bird surveys Kangaroo Island - Tom Hunt
Whilst we are currently unable to set a single
chemical pollution boundary, it is clear we
need to quantify and reduce this risk.
Atmospheric aerosol loading
A recently proposed planetary boundary,
the impact of atmospheric aerosols are still
being understood. Aerosols play a critical
role in the hydrological cycle affecting
cloud formation and monsoon systems.
Aerosols can also have an adverse effect
on many living organisms. Inhaling highly
polluted air causes roughly 800,000 people
to die prematurely each year. While many
relationships between aerosols, climate and
ecosystems are well established, many causal
links are yet to be determined.
Stratospheric ozone depletion
The ozone layer filters out ultraviolet (UV)
radiation from the sun. A thinner layer
allows more UV radiation to reach the earth
causing skin cancer in humans and damage
to terrestrial and marine biological systems.
Fortunately, because of the actions taken as
a result of the Montreal Protocol, we are on
a path to repair the Antarctic ozone hole to
allow us to stay within this boundary.
Andy Lowe - Photo by Cath Leo
LUMEN – WINTER 2023 11
