What effect does the presence of ozone in the atmosphere have on climate?

The presence of ozone in the Earth's atmosphere plays a critical role in influencing climate, primarily by warming the surface of the planet. Ozone exists in two layers of the atmosphere: the stratosphere, where it forms a protective layer that absorbs the majority of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and the troposphere, where it acts as a greenhouse gas.

In the stratosphere, the absorption of UV radiation leads to the warming of that layer, which in turn can affect atmospheric circulation patterns and overall weather systems. The presence of ozone in the troposphere contributes to the greenhouse effect, as it has the ability to trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. This function of tropospheric ozone thus helps to maintain warmer temperatures at the surface by preventing heat from escaping back into space.

While certain greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are often highlighted in discussions of climate change, ozone's role is significant because it can be both a product of human activity and a contributing factor to altering the climate balance. Understanding how ozone interacts with solar radiation and how it is affected by industrial emissions adds to our understanding of its warming effects on climate.