Today – September 16 – is the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
Sea-news.az reports that the UN General Assembly declared September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer by a resolution adopted in 1994. This date was established in connection with the anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on September 16, 1987, and has been observed since 1995.
In 1987, 36 countries signed the Montreal Protocol, which provides for the restriction and phased-out production of substances that deplete the ozone layer.
Although ozone is present in very small quantities in the atmosphere, it plays a vital role in protecting life on Earth. Approximately 90 percent of ozone is concentrated in the stratosphere layer of the atmosphere, located at an altitude of about 10–40 kilometers. The ozone layer protects human health and ecosystems by absorbing a significant portion of harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
It is reported that the weakening of the ozone layer can cause more ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth’s surface, which in turn increases the risk of skin cancer, eye diseases, and other health problems.
In the 1980s, after scientists discovered a sharp depletion of the ozone layer over Antarctica, the concept of the “ozone hole” became widespread. Scientific research revealed that a number of industrial and household chemical substances cause serious damage to the ozone layer.
The foundation of international cooperation in protecting the ozone layer consists of the Vienna Convention adopted in 1985 and the Montreal Protocol signed in 1987.
As a result of the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the phase-out of the vast majority of ozone-depleting chemicals used in various products, including refrigerators and air conditioners, has been ensured. These measures have also contributed to the fight against climate change.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which entered into force on January 1, 2019, provides for the phased reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases. It is reported that these measures can make a significant contribution to limiting global temperature rise.
In his message on the occasion of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of the full implementation of the Kigali Amendment and accelerating the transition to sustainable cooling systems.
This year, the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is being observed under the slogan “Global cooperation protecting life on earth” (or “Global action for a cooler planet”).
The main purpose of the day is to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting the ozone layer, support international efforts aimed at reducing the use of ozone-depleting substances and protecting the environment.
