World Ozone day is celebrated each year on 16th September and is also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly on in 1995 to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on substances depleting the ozone layer which was signed in 1987 for furthering cooperation in dealing with this environmental threat. It was in 1985 at the Vienna Convention that countries came together to protect the ozone layer from various ozone depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, methyl bromide and methyl chloroform etc. Hence, this day draws focussed attention and action towards this aggravating environmental problem. It reiterates our commitment towards restoring the ozone hole through progressive reduction of ozone depleting substances for a healthy environment.

If close to the earth, ozone can act as a harmful contaminant, but, its presence in the stratosphere and upper stratosphere can form a shield around the earth and protect it from excessive exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. It is proven that excessive exposure to UV radiation is a primary cause of skin cancer and also causes cataract in the eyes. Each year nearly 1.4 million new cases of melanoma cancer are reported around the world and about 70,000 people around the world die from skin cancer.

The Montreal Protocol is making efforts towards reducing the emission of substances and gases causing the depletion of the ozone layer. The 19th meeting of the parties of the Montreal Protocol will be taking place from the 17th to 21st September in Montreal, Canada. United Nation Environment Program’s initiatives towards restoration of the Ozone layer are indeed commendable in the global environment initiatives and are beginning to have productive results. But it still remains a problem and it will take a lot more time to restore the ozone layer. These harmful substances have a long life and usually migrate to the stratosphere (10-50 kms above the earth surface), which does not show any significant decline. It is here that these substances start converting ozone into oxygen owing to chemical and meteorological processes.

Many campaigns to educate people around the world take place on this day to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive exposure to sun’s rays owing to the depletion of ozone layer. There have been separate timelines set at the Montreal Protocol for developed as well as developing countries for complete elimination of the use of various harmful substances that cause ozone layer depletion.

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