International day for the preservation of the ozone layer

Message of UN Secretary-General António Guterres There are few global agreements as successful as the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Today, on World Ozone Day, we celebrate 35 years of this conventionn which was the first step in fixing the hole in the planet’s ozone layer. Gases used in aerosols and cooling appliances were causing this hole. Under the convention’s Montreal Protocol, governments, scientists and industry cooperated and have so far replaced 99 per cent of these gases. The ozone layer is now healing, safeguarding human and ecosystem health. But the work of the Montreal Protocol is not over. Through the Protocol’s Kigali Amendment, the international community is finding alternatives for coolants that contribute to the growing menace of climate disruption. If fully implemented, the Kigali Amendment can prevent 0.4 degrees Celsius of global warming. I congratulate the 100 Parties that have been leading by example. As we look ahead to global recovery from the social and economic devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we must commit to building stronger and more resilient societies. It is imperative that we put our efforts and investments into tackling climate change and protecting nature and the ecosystems that sustain us. The ozone treaties stand out as inspiring examples that show that, where political will prevails, there is little limit to what we can achieve in common cause. Let us take encouragement from how we have worked to...

Ozone Science What is ozone? Ozone is a special form of oxygen with the chemical formula O3. The oxygen we breathe and that is so vital to life on earth is O2. Ozone constitutes a very small part of our atmosphere, but its presence is nevertheless vital to human well-being. Most ozone resides high up in the atmosphere, between 10 and 40km above Earth's surface. This region is called the stratosphere and it contains about 90% of all the ozone in the atmosphere. Why do we care about atmospheric ozone? Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs some of the Sun’s biologically harmful ultraviolet radiation. Because of this beneficial role, stratospheric ozone is considered “good” ozone. In contrast, excess ozone at Earth’s surface that is formed from pollutants is considered “bad” ozone because it can be harmful to humans, plants, and animals. The ozone that occurs naturally near the surface and in the lower atmosphere is also beneficial because ozone helps remove pollutants from the atmosphere. The hole in the ozone layer Following the publication of the findings of a British Antarctic Survey article in May 1985, the phenomenon of ozone depletion over Antarctica was referred to as the "ozone hole", a phrase first attributed to Nobel Prize winner Sherwood Rowland. The satellite image of the ozone hole has become a global symbol of this environmental threat that has helped mobilize public support for the Montreal Protocol. The work of atmospheric scientists and environmental researchers ...

World Ozone Day, also known as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, is observed every year on 16 September. This day is an opportunity to focus global attention and action on this vital environmental issue. The ozone layer is a fragile shield of gas that protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet. This year, the theme of World Ozone Day is 'Montreal Protocol – keeping us, our food and vaccines cool'. According to UN's website, this year’s World Ozone Day seeks to highlight, the Montreal Protocol does so much more – such as slowing climate change and helping to boost energy efficiency in the cooling sector, which contributes to food security.

On 16 September, the world will mark the Let’s look at how this agreement was critical in protecting the health of our planet and all its species, while also reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. What is the ozone layer? The ozone layer is a thin shield of gas in the Earth’s atmosphere that protects the planet, absorbing the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays and helping to preserve all life on the planet. But the ozone layer is not immune to harmful human activities. A collection of human-made greenhouse gases known as ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), including chlorofluorocarbons that can be found in everyday products such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol cans, have been destroying the ozone layer. Why does it matter? The consequences of any damage to the ozone layer are multifold. Harmful ODSs can carve a hole in the ozone layer, allowing UV rays to directly hit the Earth.Long-term exposure to UV radiation threatens human life - causing skin cancer, eye diseases and other health problems - and seriously harms most animals, plants, and microbes. Moreover, many ozone-depleting substances are also potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change when they accumulate in the atmosphere and warm the planet. A crisis averted - the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment “We celebrate 35 years of the Montreal Protocol’s success in protecting the stratospheric ozone layer against synthetic chemicals that also cause climate heating,” The Montreal Prot...

Transcript: “Today on World Ozone Day, we celebrate 35 years of the Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer. This convention and its Montreal Protocol united the world to cut out the gases creating a hole in the planet’s ozone layer, critical in shielding us against deadly UV radiation. This model of international cooperation has put the ozone layer on the road to recovery, protecting human and ecosystem health. Such cooperation demonstrates that when people work together, they can fix problems on a global scale. We need this unity of purpose more than ever, as we seek to address nature loss, climate change and pollution in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the discussions on the replenishment of the multilateral fund. The ozone treaties have a major role to play in this work. Particularly, through the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal protocol. As we know, the Kigali Amendment has now been ratified by 100 parties and, fully implemented, will prevent 0.4°C of global warming. I congratulate all involved in the ozone treaties for the 35 years of success and I wish them many more to come.” Background: In 1985, the world’s governments adopted the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Under the Convention’s Montreal Protocol, governments, scientists and industry worked together to cut out 99 per cent of all ozone-depleting substances. Thanks to the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer is healing and expected to return to pre-1980 values by mi...