World Ozone Day is observed on September 16 every year to spread awareness among people about the depletion of Ozone Layer and find possible solutions to preserve it. On this day, people from all over the world hold talks and seminars on the ozone layer. Educators teach students about the benefits of the Ozone layer and special events and activities are organised to spread awareness.
World Ozone Day is observed on September 16 every year to spread awareness among people about the depletion of Ozone Layer and find possible solutions to preserve it. On this day, people from all over the world hold talks and seminars on the ozone layer. Educators teach students about the benefits of the Ozone layer and special events and activities are organised to spread awareness.
What is Ozone layer
The Ozone layer protects the planet from Ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Ozone is made up of three atoms of oxygen. It is highly reactive gas and is represented by O3. It occurs naturally as well as a man-made product in the Earth's upper atmosphere i.e. stratosphere and lower atmosphere i.e. troposphere. The Ozone layer is present in Earth’s atmosphere (15-35km above Earth) in the lower portion of the stratosphere and has relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). Naturally, it is formed through the interactions of solar UV radiation with molecular oxygen O2. It reduces the harmful UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface.
The main cause of ozone depletion and the ozone hole is manufactured chemicals, especially manufactured halocarbon refrigerants, solvents, propellants, and foam- blowing agents (chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), HCFCs, halons). Since the early 1970's, scientists observed reduction in stratospheric ozone and it was found more prominent in Polar Regions. ODS substances have a lifetime of about 100 years.
About Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol, signed on September 16, 1987, is an international treaty planned to protect ozone layer by reducing the production of substances that are responsible for ozone layer depletion. The Montreal Protocol phases down the consumption and production of the different ozone depleting substances (ODS) in a step-wise manner, with different timetables for developed and developing countries. Under this treaty, all parties have specific responsibilities related to the phase out of the different groups of ODS, control of ODS trade, annual reporting of data, national licensing systems to control ODS imports and exports, and other matters
Ozone layer depletion: Cause, effects, and solutions
