Sun – our friend or foe?

By Dorotėja Sirvydytė and Aistė Šutaitė

Kaunas “Vyturys” catholic secondary school.

About Sun

Sun is the star at the centre of the solar system. It’s so big, that 1.300.000 Earths could fit in it!

Sun provides us with warmth and energy. However, although it is the reason life exists, it can also be very dangerous.

Positive effects of the sun

Sunlight = life

Sun helps plants prepare food through photosynthesis, so if there would be no sunlight, there would be a collapse in the food chain of every habitat.

Sunshine and happiness

Sunshine boosts levels of serotonin – the body’s natural happy hormone. That’s why we tend to feel happier when the sun shines.

Sunshine boosts immune system

Sunlight produces vitamin D and encourages the production of white cells, which help to boost your immune system and fight infection.

Negative effects of the sun

Ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are invisible waves that are part of the energy that comes from the sun.

In spite of all their positive uses, UV rays remain very harmful for anyone who spends a large amount of time in the sun without proper protection.

Negative effects of ultraviolet rays

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is caused by the exposure to the Sun. Research shows that as many as 90 percent of skin cancers are due to UV radiation.

Negative effects of ultraviolet rays

Causes sunburn.

This damage to the skin is caused by the absorption of energy from UV rays.

Degrees of sunburn

Negative effects of ultraviolet rays

Damages immune system.

Scientists believe that sunburn can change the distribution and function of disease-fighting white blood cells in humans for up to 24 hours after exposure to the Sun.

Negative effects of ultraviolet rays

May cause heat Stroke.

This is very dangerous because it can kill you. A good chance to experience heath stroke is on a hot summer day when you aren’t drinking enough water or covering your head with protection.

Negative effects of ultraviolet rays

Damages eyes.

Prolonged exposure to UV rays damages the tissues of eyes and can cause a burning of the eye

surface, called photokeratitis.

Negative effects of ultraviolet rays

Ages skin.

UV rays speeds up the aging of skin, since the UV radiation destroys various tissues beneath the top layer of the skin.

Conclusion

According to the results of the scientists, we can affirm, that the Sun is our ally. Even though, the man knows the negative impact of the Sun on us, he can

adopt the Sun’s energy for positive purposes.

Thank you and have a sunny day!