It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 to commemorate a very important day in world history – the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Since 1995, the day is observed on 16 September annually.
Why is it so important?
The ozone layer is a part of the atmosphere that has a high concentration of ozone. It forms a natural shield that protects Earth from the harmful UV rays coming from the sun. In 1985, the ozone hole over Antarctica was first discovered and shocked the whole world.
Main causes of ozone depletion are the emission of human-made chemicals that contain chlorine or bromine in association with human activities, including typical gases used in refrigerants and aerosol propellants.
Ozone depletion could be very disastrous as life on Earth would not be protected against harmful UV radiation. It also causes photochemical smog and acid rain and impacts the environment adversely by altering the life cycles of plants and disrupting the food chain. It will also threaten the life of microscopic organisms, result in a change in wind pattern, and eventually lead to serious global warming. Therefore, International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer reminds people about the harmful effects of ozone depletion and ways to find out preventive measures.
What should we do?
It’s time we should adopt measures to save our planet and the ozone layer. We should be mindful of our habits in order to minimize the ozone layer impact. We should promote the use of environmental-friendly fertilizers and avoid the use of products with Ozone-Depleting Substances. Measures should be taken to prevent excessive smoke emissions from our vehicles.
