International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
World Ozone Day, celebrated on September 16 every year, commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987, on this day.
Earth’s ozone layer forms a fragile shield of gas of ozone molecules, which is found particularly in the stratosphere layer of atmosphere ranging between 20 to 40 km. Ozone layer is formed in the atmosphere when the ultraviolet rays from the sun break a single oxygen atom. The oxygen atom then merges with oxygen and thus forms the ozone molecule.
It plays a very crucial role in protecting the human health and the environment by reflecting the harmful portion of the rays of the sun back into the space, thus helping preserve life on the planet.
However the rapid industrialization and the growth of technologies which made us dependent on indiscriminate use of manufactured chemicals, especially manufactured halo-carbon refrigerants, solvents, propellants and foam-blowing agents like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), HCFCs, and halons referred to as ozone-depleting substances (ODS). These compounds are transported into the stratosphere by the winds after being emitted from the surface. Once in the stratosphere, they release halogen atoms through photodissociation, which catalyze the breakdown of ozone (O3) into oxygen (O2).
As a result rapid decrease of ozone layer occurred, especially during the spring seasons, over the polar regions which was named Ozone Hole.
Depletion of ozone can let harmful ultraviolet rays enter Earth’s atmosphere, thereby causing diseases like skin cancer, sunburn and cataracts, which were projected to increase dramatically as a result of thinning ozone. Scientists also agree that without the ozone layer, life on Earth will cease to exist.
Revealing the dangers of the trend of ozone depletion, it was on this in 1987 when 24 nations came together to sign an international treaty to safeguard the ozone layer by phasing out the harmful substances and gases all across the world.
And this is one of the most dramatic and successful turn around in the world related to the environment, where within 3 decades we were able to reverse a trend and started undoing the damage done.
As the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres points out :
“For over three decades, the Montreal Protocol has done much more than shrink the ozone hole; it has shown us how environmental governance can respond to science, and how countries can come together to address a shared vulnerability.”
Taking this as a role model for the human efforts in effecting huge changes, and going by the motto of the UN for the World Ozone Day, “Keep Cool and Carry On”, Lee is resolve to keep our efforts always going on to leave our future generations a Better World.
Happy World Ozone Day to all !
Contributor : Dept. of Humanities, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology.
