Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun has a direct impact on global climate change, and anything that affects sunlight affects UV rays. Although UV rays are not visible or tangible, they are incredibly powerful and can alter the chemical structure of molecules. While UV radiation does contribute to global warming, its quantity is not enough to cause an excessive amount of heat to be trapped in the atmosphere. However, the decrease in stratospheric ozone has allowed more UVB rays (the most dangerous and common type of UV) to reach the Earth's surface.On the other hand, increased cloud cover, pollution, dust, wildfire smoke, and other particles carried by air and water related to climate change reduce the penetration of ultraviolet light.
While UV radiation can cause sunburns and cancer, it is also responsible for synthesizing vitamin D which is essential for bone health and disease prevention in humans. Therefore, understanding what factors affect or are affected by changes in UV radiation is important for human health as well as for the functioning of ecosystems. The Sun can influence the Earth's climate, but it is not responsible for the warming trend that we have observed in recent decades. We know that subtle changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun are responsible for the ups and downs of the ice ages. However, the warming we have observed in recent decades is too rapid to be linked to changes in the Earth's orbit and too great to be caused by solar activity. One of the “irrefutable evidence” that tells us that the Sun is not the cause of global warming comes from observing the amount of solar energy that reaches the top of the atmosphere.
Since 1978, scientists have been tracking this phenomenon using satellite sensors, which tells us that there has not been an upward trend in the amount of solar energy reaching our planet. A second irrefutable proof is that if the Sun were responsible for global warming, we would expect to see a warming in all layers of the atmosphere, from the surface to the upper atmosphere (stratosphere). But what we really see is a warming at the surface and a cooling in the stratosphere. This is consistent with the fact that warming is caused by the accumulation of heat-trapping gases near the Earth's surface, and not because of increased solar activity. Preventing any potential health risks associated with UV rays requires a two-pronged approach: reducing UV radiation itself and raising awareness about its potential health risks. The Sun is an essential part of life; it helps keep our planet warm enough for us to survive.
