World Ozone Day, also known as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, is observed every year on September 16 to focus global action and attention on the preservation of the Ozone layer. And raise awareness about the issue of depletion of the ozone layer.September 16 was designated by the United Nations General Assembly as World Ozone Day.
The designation was made on December 19, 2000, in commemoration of the date, in 1987, when nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The designation was made on December 19, 2000, in commemoration of the date, in 1987, when nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
What is the ozone layer?
United Nations defines it as 'a fragile shield of gas that protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.'
What is the Montreal Protocol?
The aforementioned Montreal Protocol started as a global agreement to protect the ozone layer.
"A united global effort to phase out ozone-depleting substances means that today, the hole in the ozone layer is healing, in turn protecting human health, economies, and ecosystems. But, as this year’s World Ozone Day seeks to highlight, the Montreal Protocol does so much more – such as slowing climate change and helping to boost energy efficiency in the cooling sector, which contributes to food security," reads the UN's page on Ozone Day.
The main objective of the Montreal Protocol was to take measures to control total global production and consumption of substances that deplete the ozone layer, with the ultimate goal of 'their elimination on the basis of developments in scientific knowledge and technological information.
Implementation of Montreal Protocol
According to the UN, the implementation of the Montreal Protocol has progressed well in developed and developing countries.
Theme of the year
The theme for 2021 for World Ozone Day is- Montreal Protocol - 'Keeping us, our food and vaccines cool.'Six years before that, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to commemorate the date of signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
