World Ozone Day
World Ozone Day is observed on 16 September annually. Every year this day is celebrated as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer. The purpose of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the Ozone layer by reducing the production of substances that are supposed to be responsible for Ozone layer depletion.
The History Of World Ozone Day
September 16 was assigned by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. This assignment had been made on December 19, 2000, in recognition of the date, in 1987, on which nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
In 1994, the UN General Assembly declared 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, remembering the date of the marking, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The closure of the hole in the ozone layer was observed 30 years after the protocol was signed. Due to the nature of the gases responsible for ozone depletion, their chemical effects are expected to continue for between 50 and 100 years. Also, on this day Educators teach their students about the benefits of the Ozone layer, and special events and activities are organized to spread awareness.
What is Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer is the common term for the high concentration of ozone that is found in the stratosphere around 15–30km above the earth’s surface. It covers the entire planet and protects us by absorbing harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation from the sun. Ozone is made up of three atoms of oxygen. It is a highly reactive gas and is represented by O3. Nearly 90% of the Earth’s ozone is in the stratosphere and is referred to as the ozone layer. Ozone absorbs a band of ultraviolet radiation called UVB.
Ozone-Depleting Substance(s)
1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
2. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
3. Halons
4. Methyl bromide
5. Carbon tetrachloride
6. Methyl chloroform
Why Protect the Ozone Layer?
Ozone is good at trapping a type of radiation called ultraviolet radiation, or UV light. Ozone Depletion leads to excessive UV-B radiation. Excessive UV-B radiation leads to:
1. More skin cancers and eye cataracts.
2. Less productivity of plants.
3. Loss of immunity to diseases.
4. Adverse effects on plastics.
World Ozone Day 2020 Theme
“Ozone for life”. This year, we celebrate 35 years of global ozone layer protection. The slogan of the day, “Ozone for life”, reminds us that ozone is crucial for our life on Earth and we must continue to protect the ozone layer for our future generations also.
World Ozone Day 2019 Theme
The theme of International Ozone Day was “32 years and healing“. The theme celebrated to protect Ozone layer and the climate under Montreal Protocol.
How to celebrate World Ozone Day
The day is mainly celebrated to spread awareness of the depletion of the Ozone Layer and looking for solutions to preserve it. People from all over the world are expected to gather in Montreal on September 16th to join the discussions and seminars. Many schools organize special events and activities to raise awareness. Use #WorldOzoneDay on social media to create awareness about World Ozone Day.