An armor keeps a knight from being wounded. A bullet-proof vest keeps a policeman from being shot. Mother Earth wears her own protective clothing, too. It is the atmosphere.

      The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surrounds the earth. It gives us the oxygen we breathe. It protects us from getting too much sunlight. The ozone layer is found in the atmosphere. It is located about 24 kilometers above the earth. The ozone layer absorbs most of the ultraviolet rays of the sun. These rays can be harmful to living things. Plants and animals could die, if they are exposed to too much ultraviolet rays.

      In the past few years, scientists have discovered holes in the ozone layer. These holes can be found over the North Pole, South Pole, and some parts of Northern Europe. Gases given off by cars, factories, and machines pollute the atmosphere. Other gases that we use in refrigerators, airconditioners, and aerosol sprays go up into the atmosphere, and destroy the ozone layer. As a result, too much ultraviolet light reaches the earth.

      The ozone holes are dangerous. If they become too many, too much ultraviolet light would reach the earth. Ultraviolet light causes sunburn. The ultraviolet ray of the sun destroys the protective layer of skin which may lead to skin cancer. According to reports, the growing hole in the ozone layer in the South Pole has cause increased skin cancer causes in Australia.

      The effects of the ozone holes have alarmed many people. Scientists are now looking for ways to stop the holes from becoming too many. We, too, should help them. We should plant trees. We should recycle materials. We should not pollute the earth. By doing these things, we can help in saving the ozone layer.