Ever since 1994, World Ozone Day has been widely celebrated all over the globe on 16th September. You must be aware that we celebrate this to spread awareness about the depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. It lies between 15 km and 30 km above the earth. The ozone shield that high saves us and all living beings from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Other than these, there are several other things that you must know about this day:
The major polluters that contribute to its depletion are called halons, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). They are emitted from our refrigerators and air conditioners among other things.
The depletion of the ozone layer mainly occurs near the Southern Hemisphere (Antarctica) rather than in the Northern Hemisphere (Arctic).
Dobson Units (DU) measures the amount of Ozone. The area where the depletion of Ozone is more pronounced in the stratosphere is known as the ozone hole. If the area measures 220 DU or less, it is considered as a hole in the ozone shield. It was first discovered in 1984.
The depletion of the ozone layer can and is causing various life threatening situations. It can cause skin cancer, sunburn, permanent blindness and cataracts. They were observed to increase dramatically as a result of thinning ozone. The depletion can also harm plants and animals in similar ways.
In 1974, the first scientific hypotheses were published about the chemicals that harm the ozone layer. They found that chlorofluorocarbon gases (CFCs) could travel up to the stratosphere. They could stay there for decades or even centuries. By reacting with free Oxygen atoms and releasing chlorine, they break down the ozone layer.
In 1985, the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was held by the United Nations. It was the first convention signed by all the member parties (countries). This agreement is a framework that lays out principles to mitigate the risks.
In 1987, The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was held. It put forward the ways to reduce the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). It also accepted using them wherever necessary and where no alternative was acceptable. Exceptions like metered dose inhalers (MDI) that treat asthma and halon fire-suppression systems used in submarines and aircraft.
We have known about this for decades and yet we have not yet been able to solve this crisis that brings about danger to very life on Earth.
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