How does ozone depletion affect humans and the environment?

Ozone depletion has severe consequences for both humans and the environment. Increased UV radiation exposure can cause skin cancer, premature aging, eye cataracts, and weakened immunity in humans. For the environment, excessive UV rays damage crops, reducing agricultural productivity, and harm phytoplankton in oceans, disrupting the marine food chain. Animals, especially those dependent on sunlight-sensitive ecosystems, are also at risk. Moreover, ozone depletion contributes indirectly to climate change by altering atmospheric circulation patterns. These impacts show why global action to protect the ozone layer is not just an environmental issue but also a public health and food security concern.