September 16th is designated as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. This occasion serves as a reminder for countries around the world to enhance awareness and take practical actions to protect the ozone layer, safeguarding the environment for sustainable development.
1. Origins of International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
In October 1985, British scientists discovered a large “hole” in the ozone layer over Antarctica, approximately the size of the United States. In 1987, German scientists further reported that the ozone layer over the Arctic was thinning, indicating that it would soon experience similar damage. This depletion was caused by ozone-depleting substances (ODS) used in aerosol sprays and cooling systems (such as refrigerators and air conditioners).
The appearance of holes in the ozone layer has led to an increase in ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, directly impacting human health. This could result in higher rates of skin cancer and cataracts, as well as harm to ecosystems, including the flora and fauna on Earth.
Recognizing this danger, countries around the world agreed to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985, followed by the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on September 16, 1987.
Increasing environmental pollution threatens the ozone layer.
The Montreal Protocol was established to specify the commitments made by countries under the Vienna Convention regarding the control and elimination of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). It has become one of the most successful environmental agreements to date.
In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe September 16, the day the Montreal Protocol was signed, as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
2. Significance of International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
With increasing climate and environmental pollution, the ozone layer is under threat of depletion. International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer aims to enhance understanding of the ozone layer and raise awareness of the responsibility of each individual in protecting it. The Earth cannot survive without sunlight, and similarly, life would gradually be extinguished without the ozone layer.
Globally, we are entering the 35th year of efforts to restore the ozone layer. Given the complex and challenging developments of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, we are increasingly concerned about natural disasters, disease outbreaks, climate change, and the depletion of the ozone layer. A worrying piece of information is that our ozone layer has developed holes, significantly impacting the health of living organisms on Earth and the climate situation.
3. Consequences of Ozone Layer Depletion
- The consequences of ozone layer depletion will directly affect the Earth, leading to numerous issues such as:
- Climate change, the greenhouse effect, rising global temperatures, and increasingly severe storms and floods.
- Additionally, the number of patients suffering from cancer and other diseases is also on the rise.
- Ozone layer depletion disrupts ecological balance, destroying small organisms, particularly affecting marine life. The reduction of the ozone layer also increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the surface and elevates chemical reactions, leading to increased smog and acid rain, which harm plants and reduce crop yields.
- It causes phenomena such as wildfires, melting ice at the poles, rising sea levels, and expanding areas of marshland, severely impacting coastal ecosystems.
4. Actions to Protect the Ozone Layer
Conclusion
The ozone layer acts as a natural shield for the Earth against ultraviolet radiation, thereby protecting life on the planet. The controlled cessation of ozone-depleting substances and related reductions not only help preserve the ozone layer for future generations but also significantly contribute to global efforts to address climate change. Let us join hands to protect our green planet, which is also protecting our very lives.
| The ozone layer is a deep layer in the stratosphere surrounding the Earth, containing a large amount of ozone that absorbs most of the ultraviolet rays from the Sun. While this layer of gas is not thick, it plays a crucial role as a protective shield for all life on Earth… |
