INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER
“The theme for the 2016 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to be marked on 16 September is: Ozone and climate: Restored by a world united. The theme is complemented by the tagline: Working towards reducing global-warming HFCs under the Montreal Protocol”.
The United Nations' (UN) International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated on September 16 every year. This event commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. The earth's ozone layer plays an important role in protecting human health and the environment.
In 1987 representatives from 24 countries met in Montreal and announced to the world that it was time to stop destroying the ozone layer. In so doing, these countries committed themselves, via the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, to rid the world of substances that threaten the ozone layer. On December 19, 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed September 16 to be the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date when the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987. The day was first celebrated on September 16, 1995.
The theme for this year's International Ozone Day recognizes the collective efforts of the parties to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol towards the restoration of the ozone layer over the past three decades and the global commitment to combat climate change. The ozone layer is healing itself and is expected to recover by the middle of this century. The Montreal Protocol has significantly contributed to the mitigation of climate change by averting the emission of more than 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere by simply phasing out ozone-depleting substances. The Montreal Protocol has HFC (HydroFluoroCarbons) amendment in 2016 by first resolving challenges by generating solutions in the contact group on HFC. According to scientific information, reducing HFCs under the Montreal Protocol can avoid 0.4°C of global warming by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer. HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are both ozone-depleting substances and powerful greenhouse gases: the most commonly used HCFC is nearly 2,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide in adding to global warming. By agreeing to speed up the phase-out of HCFCs, Parties to the Montreal Protocol increased their already-substantial contributions to protecting the global climate system.
On this day primary and secondary school educators throughout the world organize classroom activities that focus on topics related to the ozone layer, climate change, reducing HFCs and ozone depletion. Some teachers use educational packages from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that have been specifically tailored to address topics about the earth's ozone layer. Other activities that are organized by different community groups, individuals, schools and local organizations across the world include: the promotion of ozone friendly products; special programs and events on saving the ozone layer; the distribution of the UNEP's public awareness posters to be used for events centered on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer; and the distribution of awards to those who worked hard to protect the earth's ozone layer.
On this day, I appeal to the public to preserve the ozone layer to protect atmosphere and I request all to work towards reducing global warming.