World Ozone Day is celebrated on every year on 16th September spreading knowledge among people about the loss of the ozone layer and finding potential ways to conserve it. People around the world are expected to follow the Montreal Protocol this day to follow the talks and seminars. A variety of widely used chemicals have been shown to cause significant harm to the ozone layer.
History of World Ozone Day
This special day, to commemorate the day back in 1987 when the Montreal Protocol was signed, is held on September 16. As a result, the Canadian city of Montreal is hosting a variety of special activities such as talks and seminars on this day.
World Ozone Day has been observed since 1994, and was created by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The main objective is to disseminate awareness of the loss of the Ozone Layer and explore ways to conserve it. People around the world are scheduled to gather to join the talks and seminars in Montreal on September 16th.
Importance of ozone layer
Image Source-: pixabaySun-emitted ultraviolet radiation or UV rays have the potential to cause skin cancer and cataract disease. These harmful rays also cause substantial damage not only to humans but to plant and marine life as well. Consequently, the ozone layer serves as a protective barrier against any such harmful sun rays.
Theme 2020
The theme for this year’s World Ozone Day 2020 is “Lifetime Ozone: 35 years of defence of the ozone layer”
The Vienna Convention for the Defense of the Ozone Layer was accepted by the governments globally in 1985. The Montreal Protocol was drafted two years later in 1987 where states, scientists and industry worked together to remove 99 per cent of all ozone-depleting substances.
The ozone layer is recovering and predicted to return to pre-1980 values by mid-century, thanks to the Montreal Protocol, as per the United Nations Environment Programme. In the meantime, endorsing the Montreal Protocol, the Kigali Amendment, which came into force in 2019, will aim to eliminate hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs) and greenhouse gases with a climate-warming potential and harming the environment.
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