World Ozone Day – 16th September 2020
September 16 is annually celebrated as World Ozone Day across the world. The most significant event attached to the World Ozone day is the Montreal protocol that was held in the year 1987. It was a massive collaboration of more than 24 member nations of the UN.
They together signed and pledged to protect the ozone layer by limiting the use of CFCs [Chlorofluorocarbons] and harmful elements that caused the depletion of the ozone layer in the atmosphere.
Man’s interference with nature has disturbed the environment to such an extent that the ozone layer is severely depleted. Harmful UV rays from the sun can easily penetrate the Earth’s surface, causing life-threatening diseases like cancer.
In this article, we shall study in detail about the history, significance, themes and celebration mode of World Ozone Day 2020. Let us explore more in forthcoming sections.
History of World Ozone Day
World Ozone day was first celebrated on September 16, 1995. Though the Montreal protocol was signed in 1987, the day to establish the importance of the contract happened much later in 1995.
The United Nations General Assembly first celebrated the day to bring about global awareness of the need to protect the ozone layer. The day was also celebrated owing to the increased depletion in the ozone layer.
It became pertinent to find remedies and solutions in a fast track manner.
Every year large crowds gather at Montreal, Canada to celebrate World Ozone Day. The Montreal Protocol worked on various issues involving global production activities.
The impact that production has on the ozone layer depletion is immense. Measures to control substances that cause reduction are another primary concern.
In the list of elements that cause depletion, chemicals are prima facie culprits, and a whole list of annexure stating them is provided as part of the protocol. In the baseline, the Montreal protocol aims to gradually phase out the use of harmful chemicals, leading to a stage where there is a total ban on these substances.
Significance of World Ozone Day 2020
World Ozone day serves as an essential reminder to people about the Montreal protocol. Ordinary people may not know about the existence and significance of the ozone layer.
In the stratosphere of Earth’s atmosphere, there exists a protective shield called the ozone layer. This layer is responsible for absorbing and preventing harmful UV rays from penetrating the Earth’s surface.
It is the stratosphere that contains a more considerable amount of ozone layer compared to other segments. Now the Montreal protocol is again a naive topic to most of us. Let us understand why this protocol was signed at all.
With the growth of industrialization and increase in pollution, harmful substances have decreased the quality of air around us. Not just that, they are known to reduce or in other words, deplete the concentration of the ozone layer.
The first ozone depletion was found over the Antarctic region. For the great contribution in identifying a significant decrease factor, the concerned scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize back then.
The science community then began questioning the relevancy of human actions and their detrimental effects on the environment. With the implementation of the protocol; however, the good news is round the corner.
The Earth has started healing at a rate of 1 to 3 per cent every decade, counted since the year 2000. So this brings to the foresight, the relevance, necessity and importance of World Ozone Day.
World Ozone Day 2020 Theme
Several popular themes are suggested for World Ozone Day. The day calls for plenty of awareness around the topic. So learning subjects both online and offline are generously suggested.
Resource-based themes create a comprehensive information base for worldwide readers. Environment-friendly issues and nature-friendly planet are sure shot fire-themes that are going to develop more significant awareness across the globe. ‘Heal the earth’ is another popular theme as many organizations, and scientific scholars strive for one common concern.
Thirty-two years and healing is an associated theme with the Montreal protocol. It is to identify and appreciate the efforts taken by the international community in co-operating with the international treaty.
The world has seen remarkable steps underneath the implementation of the protocol. Themes associated with climate change, improvement of the ozone layer, effects of global warming etc. are commonly adopted as part of the day’s celebrations.
World Ozone Day 2020 Celebration
For our future generations to survive in an eco-friendly environment, it’s imperative to preserve and sustain the bio-diversities. Harming nature is detrimental to the progress of humankind.
The most excellent way to celebrate World Ozone day is to gather massive crowds and give them awareness about how CFCs destroy the ozone layer above us. Educational institutions could bring change in educating the public about the need to preserve the ozone layer.
Short campaigns, special events at schools, competitions, and essay writing activities are some of the everyday things to be conducted at schools.
At the university level, exclusive discussions from expert panels and eminent speakers could be called in to spread the word about World Ozone day.
Using the latest technologies, the information could be broadcasted over the internet through social media handles and other similar modes. Clean-up tasks in our neighbourhoods are more straightforward ways of celebrating the day.
Presentations at companies focused on ozone layer significance are a popular choice. The public could be educated about the Montreal protocol through press conferences.
Conclusion
There are a host of measures we can adopt to preserve the ozone layer. Reducing air-conditioning pieces of equipment at home, finding alternatives for refrigerator CFCs, banning aerosol products and propellants are necessary steps to be taken by each one of us.
By making use of eco-friendly insulating materials and bags, we can save our planet from further damage. Bubble wraps are one of the best alternative solutions, and they could be used in the right way to prevent harmful chemicals from depleting the ozone layer.
It has become immensely important to use the policy of reducing, recycle and recover to avert significant imbalances caused in the atmosphere. Adding to the harmful substances, pollution is an added factor to break the delicate balance.
On this world ozone day, let us all strive hard and teach the public and the younger generation about ozone layer facts. Let us keep our surroundings free from CFC substances and present a cleaner, brighter and pollution-free environment for tomorrow. Our small steps could lead us through a long way of healing and supporting future life processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the theme of World Ozone Day 2020?
A popular theme attached with the Montreal protocol by the name “32 years and healing” is the theme for World Ozone Day 2020.
2. What is the importance of ozone day?
Ozone day is an essential day in terms of propagating message about the importance of the ozone layer. It consists of online and offline message sharing to the world about the impacts of ozone layer depletion like world climate change, global warming, increased cases of life-threatening diseases etc.
3. When is world ozone day celebrated?
Every year, September 16 is celebrated as world ozone day.
4. Why do we celebrate world ozone day?
As per the international treaty on the Montreal protocol, all abiding nations should work towards reducing substances that cause ozone depletion. We should take up efforts and spread awareness on preserving the ozone layer.
I am a Teacher at Dipelaneng primary school, I humbly request posters about ozone day to teach my learners about that day.