World Ozone Day 2019

World Ozone Day 2019 was observed on September 16. The slogan for World Ozone Day 2019 is “Ozone: All that is there between You and UV”. The slogan is meant to showcase how human activity can impact the ozone layer and ultimately, the survival of the Earth and its environment.

2019: Theme

The theme for the World Ozone Day, 2019 is – 32 Years and Healing. The theme celebrates over three decades of international cooperation to protect the ozone layer and the climate under the Montreal Protocol.

The Montreal Protocol has resulted in phasing out of 99 per cent of ozone-depleting chemicals in refrigerators, air-cooling systems and other products. This has resulted in the recovery of parts of the ozone layer at a rate of 1-3% per decade since 2000.

Why September 16?

The United Nations General Assembly designated September 16 as World ozone Day to commemorate the fact that it was on this day the Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987.

Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol treaty banning ozone-depleting gases is one of the most successful international agreements ever signed. The Montreal Protocol was aimed at protecting the Earth’s ozone layer by eliminating the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), which would otherwise allow increased Ultraviolet or UV rays to reach the planet.

The Protocol phases down the consumption and production of the different ODS in a step-wise manner, with different timelines for developed and developing countries.

To further augment the efforts the Kigali Amendment was adopted on 1 January 2019. The Kigali Amendment is aimed at phasing down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by cutting their production and consumption.