American Meteorological Society Certification (AMS) Practice

Ozone plays a critical role in the atmosphere by forming a layer in the stratosphere that absorbs the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This UV radiation can cause significant harm to living organisms, including increased risks of skin cancer and cataracts in humans, as well as detrimental effects on wildlife and ecosystems. By filtering out a large portion of these harmful rays, ozone acts as a protective shield for life on Earth, making its role vital in maintaining the health of both the environment and biological systems.

In contrast, while cloud formation and rainfall can be influenced by various factors, ozone itself does not directly enhance these processes. The warming of the Earth's surface is primarily caused by greenhouse gases rather than ozone, which does not contribute significantly to that effect. Thus, understanding ozone's primary function in UV protection is essential for grasping its overall importance in atmospheric science.