World Ozone Day 2021 – Theme & Importance
On September 16, 1987, the United Nations together with 45 other countries signed the Montreal Protocol, on substances that deplete the Ozone layer. Every year this day is celebrated as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer or World Ozone Day. Consequently, World Ozone day 2020 is being celebrated across the world today, to mark 35 years of the Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer.
What is Ozone layer & Why it is so Important ?
The Ozone layer or also known as Ozone shield, a delicate layer of gas, in the Earth’s stratosphere absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet rays. These rays can cause a numerous skin diseases. In the last few years, the ozone layer has depleted extensively.
What is Montreal Protocol
The purpose of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the Ozone layer by reducing the production of substances that are supposed to be responsible for Ozone layer depletion.
Way Ahead
The United Nations urges the world to support the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is legally binding and came into force from 1 January 2019. The amendment aims to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a family of potent greenhouse gases by the late 2040s.
History of World Ozone Day
On September 16, 1987, the United Nations together with 45 other countries signed the Montreal Protocol, to limit and ultimately phase out the production of manmade chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and 95 other ozone-depleting materials.
On December 19, 2000, The United Nations General Assembly designated September 16 as World Ozone Day in the memory of the date of inking of Montreal Protocol. Since then, September 16th has been celebrated as the #WorldOzoneDay.
World Ozone Day 2021
16 September is celebrated across the globe as World Ozone Day. The theme of World Ozone Day 2021 is Montreal Protocol – keeping us, our food and vaccines cool.
According to UN’s website, 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.
