September 16th has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day for the preservation of the Ozone layer. It has been done to mark the day when the Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987.
States are invited to devote the day to promote activities in accordance with the objectives of the Protocol and its amendments. The ozone layer is a fragile shield of gas, protects the earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun thus, helping preserve life on the planet.
The controlled usage of ozone depleting substances has helped in the protection of the ozone layer from further damage. It has also contributed significantly to global efforts to address climate change. It has also protected human health and eco systems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiations from reaching the earth.
World Ozone Day is celebrated all around the world. People are told about the ozone layer and many places organize events and activities to raise awareness about the depletion of the ozone layer.
The theme for this year’s celebration on 16th September is “Ozone Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On”. The Montreal Protocol has so far been successful in meeting some targets and phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
Due to these steps the ozone layer is expected to recover by the middle of this century. But there are some challenges still remaining to completely phase out the ozone depleting substances from the planet.
Picture Courtesy: Days of the Year
