World Ozone Day 2020- Safeguard of Life on Earth

World Ozone Day 2020- Safeguard of Life on Earth

   Kautilya Academy    16-09-2020

Life - The single evidence of the existence of any living creature on land. But Is it really safe! How we are living and what measures do we adopt to safeguard this precious life is a matter of great concern in today’s world. Today the whole world is celebrating the world ozone day, which is lifesaving gas. The destruction of the Ozone layer may cause the harmful ultraviolet rays of the Sun to reach the surface of Earth which causes Skin cancer, cataract, and other blood and skin related diseases.

Ozone for life: 35 years of celebration

We are celebrating 35 years of the Vienna Convention in 2020. Sunlight is the most important source of energy without which the whole trophic level of the ecosystem will be paused and hence life would finish at the other moment. This stratospheric layer of atmosphere shields the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Sunlight gives life but ozone saves our life.

While the world was moving towards the high developmental scenario with the advancement of technology, on one hand, the environment was redirecting towards a great threat on the other hand. The number of commonly used chemicals have been found to be extremely damaging to the ozone layer. Halocarbons are those chemicals in which carbon atoms are linked to halogen atoms Halocarbons containing bromine have high ozone-depleting potential (ODP) than those containing chlorine. The man-made chemicals like methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and halons, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) harm the ozone layer at most.

So, when the researchers found that humanity was fabricating a hole in this protective shield, they upheave the alarm in the late 1970s. The hole was the result of using aerosols in air conditioners, refrigerators etc.

Vienna Convention for Ozone Layer

Vienna Convention was adopted and signed by 28 countries, on 22 March 1985. It was the first of its kind to achieve universal ratification to promote cooperation by means of research and information exchange in order to prevent the adverse effects of Ozone Depletion.

Montreal Protocol, 16 Sept. 1987

The Montreal protocol on Ozone Depleting substances is an international treaty formulate to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of numerous substances that are responsible for the depletion of the Ozone layer. The Protocol requires to control nearly 100 such chemicals, in different categories. It was agreed or drafted on 16th September 1987 and entered into force in August 1989.

Montreal protocol and Vienna the convention became the first treaties of their kind to achieve universal ratification on 16th September 2009.

Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol, 2016

The Kigali Amendment to Montreal protocol was an amendment done in 2016 to phase out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by late 2040s at their 28th Meeting of the Parties on 15 October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. It is legally binding on countries from the year 2019.

 

World ozone day 2020

The theme for World Ozone Day 2020 is "Ozone for life: 35 years of ozone layer protection".

The slogan of 2020, “Ozone for life”, reminds us that the importance of the Ozone layer to protect our own life and for future generations also.

Ways to protect ozone layer

      Avoid the excessive use of harmful substances like CFCs chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halogenated hydrocarbon, nitrous oxide, and methyl bromide for various purposes.

      By minimizing the use of personal vehicles and adopt clean and green energy also by using public transport.

      Proper and maintenance is required for ACs to lower the chances of the high release of CFCs.

      Decrease the use of cosmetics, hair sprays, room fresheners may lower the emission of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

      Less use of Chemical Fertilizers in fields.

The global efforts put forward to phase out the emission of ODS and to address the Climate change issues not only helps to prevent the life of the present generation but also securing the future generation. Furthermore, ozone has protected human health and ecosystems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the Earth.

Not only the treaty or agreements could eradicate the issue of climate change due to ozone depletion, We should formulate it at the base level by raising awareness in individuals.

“The Planet Earth is our own Home; Let’s Make it a more beautiful place to live in.”

Written by Manvi Jain




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