Artigenda
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
When: Annually, September 16.
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer or Ozone Layer Day is a day established by the United Nations (UN) that takes place annually on 16 December. The day is here to raise awareness of the ozone layer conservation. The day has been in place since 1994.
Purpose and history
From 2000, they wanted to achieve more with this day. That was to create awareness and make people think about the Montreal Protocol. This was the treaty to ensure that countries committed to it would actively work to preserve the ozone layer.
Signing the Montreal Protocol was something that happened slowly. Too slowly in fact. It was not until 2016 that it was signed by a large number of countries, which is extraordinary for a protocol that was duly agreed and partly signed on September 16, 1987, to take effect on January 1, 1989. Revisions followed after the first signing in 1990, 1992, 1995, 1995 and 2005. More countries joined the protocol. In 2016, the tally stood at 197 countries. Initially, there were only 46.
What does the Montreal Protocol regulate?
The first version of the Montreal Protocol regulated the elimination of certain pollutants and a certain period in which this had to take place. The best-known examples were CFCs and halons. The most recent amendment was dated 15 October 2016, and that dealt with the use of hydrofluorocarbons in air-conditioning systems and other refrigeration equipment, for example. Unfortunately, it will take until 2026 before work starts on stopping these substances in such systems.
What is the ozone layer?
The ozone layer is the layer located at about 15 and 50 kilometres altitude in the stratosphere. The name says it all: this is where there is a lot of ozone, which protects the earth from harmful radiation from the sun (UV radiation). In certain places, there is a ‘hole’ in this layer.
It is not a “hole.” It is a thin layer and this is caused by the disappearance of ozone since the 1980s. Then we are talking about more than half of the ozone.
One harmful effect of the disappearance of ozone is the increase in ultraviolet radiation. This is dangerous for humans and animals. It leads to an increase in cases of skin cancer.
Is there any possibility of recovery?
If we do our best, there is a possibility of recovery. Only there will be no recovery for the first 50 to 100 years. This will be possible only after that period.
