When Dr. Nina Jablonski describes her discovery of the UV data collected by NASA, a headline is visible that reads, "Ozone Depletion Raising Risk of Skin Cancer, Scientist Says." Use this headline and your understanding of what causes skin cancer to infer a beneficial feature of the ozone layer for humans. Why would a depleted ozone layer increase the risk of skin cancer?

describe it short and simple and as a 7th grader

3 answers

The ozone layer is like a protective shield in the Earth's atmosphere that absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. These UV rays can damage our skin and are one of the main causes of skin cancer. If the ozone layer gets thinner (or depleted), more UV rays can reach the Earth's surface. This increased exposure to UV rays can lead to a higher risk of skin cancer for people. So, a healthy ozone layer is very important for keeping us safe from these harmful rays!

can you shorten it more

The ozone layer protects us by blocking harmful UV rays from the sun. If the ozone layer is thinner, more UV rays reach us, increasing the risk of skin cancer. So, a strong ozone layer helps keep our skin safe!