Ozone Day
Twenty years ago, on 16 September 1987, a group of countries signed the Montreal Protocol in a pivotal step towards protecting stratospheric ozone. According to the United Nations General Assembly, each 16 September is "International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer."
For the fifth consecutive year, September 16 will be observed worldwide as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The United Nations first declared International Ozone Day in 1995, in commemoration of the date on which countries signed the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
At the end of 1995, industrialized countries had already phased out about a million tons of consumed Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). Phase out is well advanced in developing countries and projects are being implemented to phase out more than one third of their ODS consumption ahead of the targeted phase out date.
Ozone Depleting Substances are certain man-made chemicals containing Chlorine and Bromine, which have a high potential to deplete the Ozone Layer through chemical interactions in the earth’s stratosphere. Examples of ODS include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerators, air-conditioning units foam products and aerosol sprays and halons used in fire extinguishers.
The Ozone Layer which surrounds the earth at a height of about 25km, protects life on earth by absorbing some of the radiation from the sun thus preventing harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays from reaching the earth’s surface. The increase in UV rays has been linked to increase in some types of skin cancers, cataracts, lower plant productivity and deterioration in certain forms of marine life.
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The international theme for Ozone Day
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2023: “Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change ”
2022: “Montreal Protocol@35: Global Cooperation Protecting Life on Earth ”
2021: “Ozone for Life: 36 Years of Ozone Layer Protection ”
2020: “Ozone for life ”
2019: “32 Years and Healing”
2018: “Keep Cool and Carry On! The Montreal Protocol”
2017: Caring for all life under the sun
2016: Ozone and Climate: Restored by a world united
2015: 30 Years of Healing the Ozone Together
2014: Ozone Layer Protecion: The Mission Goes On
2013: A Healthy Atmosphere, the Future We Want
2012: Protecting our Atmosphere for Generations to Come
2011: HCFC phase-out: a unique opportunity
2010: Ozone layer protection, governance & compliance at their best
2009: Universal participation: Ozone protection unifies the world
2008: Montreal Protocol - Global partnerships for global Benefits
2006: Protect the Ozone Layer: Save Life on Earth
2005: Act Ozone Friendly - Stay Sun Safe!
2004: Ozone Friendly Planet, Our Target
2003: Save Our Sky: There is a Hole Lot More to Do for Our Children
1999: Save Our Sky: Be Ozone Friendly
1998: Protection of the Ozone Layer - Montreal Protocol
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