Nairobi, 16 September 2022 (TDI): Every year on the 16th of September the world marks the International Day of Preservation of Ozone Layer all across the globe to save Earth from ozone depletion. This year the world celebrates 35 years of Ozone Layer and environmental protection.
On this #WorldOzoneDay we celebrate 35 years of successful #OzoneLayer and environmental protection. The global cooperation that has made the #MontrealProtocol such a success has not only helped safeguard us, but all life on earth, now and into the future 🌍 pic.twitter.com/zqPz4nQr0N
— OzoneSecretariat (@UNEPozone) September 16, 2022
History of International Day of Preservation of Ozone Layer
At a meeting in Montreal in 1987, officials from 24 nations declared that the ozone layer must no longer be destroyed. By doing this, these nations pledged to eliminate ozone layer-threatening pollutants from the world through the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Furthermore, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed on September 16, 1987. The UN General Assembly declared that day to be the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on December 19, 1994.
On September 16, 1995, the International day of preservation of the ozone layer was observed for the very first time.
Significance of this Day
The day is significant because the ozone layer reduces the amount of harmful UV radiation of the sun from reaching the earth. The ozone layer is significant because these harmful radiations can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and other health issues.
Adding to that, it is claimed that the ozone layer thickness in the northern hemisphere has decreased by 4% a year. Man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are one of the major ozone layer killers.
Moving ahead, the ozone layer has been discovered to be severely harmed by several regularly used compounds. Chemicals known as halocarbons include one or more halogen atoms bonded to one or more carbon atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine).
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and hydrochlorofluorocarbons are among the man-made substances that have contributed to the majority of ozone depletion.
Montreal: The Protocol
The Montreal Protocol’s main goal is to safeguard the ozone layer by adopting steps to reduce worldwide consumption and production of compounds that damage it.
Hence, it carries the ultimate goal of eliminating these substances in light of new scientific and technological findings. It is organized around various categories of ozone-depleting chemicals.
In certain categories, the Protocol mandates the control of close to 100 substances. The Treaty specifies a timeline for the phase-out of production and use of each category or annex of chemicals with the goal of finally eradicating them.
