International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

Courtesy: Pritwish Panda

The World Ozone Day is celebrated on 16th September annually to spread awareness about the preservation of the depletion of Ozone layer. It was first celebrated in the year 1994. The United Nations General Assembly designated 16th September as the International Day for the preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date on which the Montreal Protocol on substances that depletes the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987.

History

The Ozone layer was first discovered in 1913 by two French physicist. It is a region of the Earth’s atmosphere that absorbs cancer causing UV radiation from the sun. The ozone layer is found in a region of the atmosphere which is known as the stratosphere. The stratosphere starts a about 10km above sea level and stretches to an altitude of 50km, where it meets the mesosphere. The ozone layer is mainly found at an altitude of 30km.

In 1976, a research revealed that the ozone shield was being depleted by harmful chemicals such as Chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) which are mainly used in aerosols, solvents and refrigerants. In 1985 a hole was discovered in the ozone layer over the Antarctic.

Montreal Protocol

In 1987 representatives from 24 countries met in Montreal to bring global awareness on the need to save the Ozone layer. It was started as a global effort to stop the use of ozone depleting substances. In order to save the Ozone layer on 16th September, 1987, the United Nations and 45 countries signed the Montreal Protocol, on substances that depletes the Ozone layer.

The purpose of the Montreal is to protect the Ozone layer by phasing out the global production and consumption of substances that are supposed to threaten the Ozone layer. The implementation of the Montreal Protocol in developed as well as developing countries progressed well. Initially more attention was given in phasing out the chemicals with higher ozone-depletion potentials including CFCs and halons. And for chemicals with lower ozone-depletion potentials like HCFCs the phase-out schedules were more relaxed.

How is it observed?

The World Ozone Day is celebrated by educating and spreading awareness among people about the importance of the preservation of the ozone layer. On this day many people from all over the world join the Montreal Protocol to join the talks and hold seminars on the ozone layer and its impact.

Author:

Swagata Chakraborty