The primary use of the ozone layer is to protect life on Earth. It acts as a vital shield, absorbing the vast majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation.
The Ozone Layer's Crucial Role: Protecting Life
The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere, is crucial for life on Earth because it filters out a significant portion of the sun's UV-B radiation. As noted by Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/ozone-layer-context), the ozone layer absorbs 97% to 99% of incoming UV-B radiation. This absorption is fundamental to protecting life from harmful exposure to this radiation, which can severely damage DNA and disrupt biological processes. Without this protection, increased UV-B exposure could lead to widespread harm to plants, animals, and humans, including increased rates of skin cancer and cataracts. The EPA (https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/basic-ozone-layer-science) highlights that the ozone layer's absorption of solar radiation prevents this radiation from reaching the Earth's surface.
While the ozone layer doesn't have "uses" in the traditional sense, its existence is critical for the continued survival and well-being of all living organisms on our planet. Its protective function is vital for maintaining the stability and health of ecosystems and supporting life as we know it.
