New Delhi: September 16 is World Ozone Day, also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. This day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
The protocol aimed to take action to protect the ozone layer, which was starting to deplete. Every year, a theme is set up for World Ozone Day, and the theme for this year is “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Actions”.
World Ozone Day 2024 Theme: Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Actions
The Montreal Protocol, a global initiative, is often praised for its success in working with many countries. It has helped to stop using substances that harm the ozone layer, a crucial step in protecting life on Earth. On World Ozone Day, we also celebrate how it has contributed to climate action on a global scale.
A collective effort to stop using substances that harm the ozone layer has also significantly contributed to the fight against climate change. For example, it has delayed the first time the Arctic summer will be ice-free by up to 15 years. Each individual’s actions matter in this global fight.
The Kigali Amendment, a beacon of hope, is speeding up these efforts. Countries have reached an agreement to decrease the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. If the amendment is fully approved and implemented, it could help prevent up to 0.5°C warming by 2100, offering a brighter future for our planet.
Cooling equipment uses 20 per cent of the world’s electricity today and is expected to double by 2050. Implementing the Kigali Amendment and using more energy-efficient cooling equipment could double these benefits.
Progress is already being made on these climate efforts. Almost 80 per cent of the countries involved, including major HFC producers and users like the US, China, and India, have agreed to the Kigali Amendment. Developed countries started reducing HFCs in 2019, and many developing countries are beginning to do the same this year.
On this World Ozone Day, let us celebrate what has been achieved so far and look ahead to making even bigger and quicker progress under the Montreal Protocol. This is important for the ozone layer, but most importantly, for people, the climate, and our planet.
Photo credit: depositphotos
What is the Montreal Protocol?
The Montreal Protocol aims to protect the ozone layer by controlling the production and consumption of depleting substances. The protocol sets a timetable for phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. It also allows exceptions for essential uses where no suitable substitutes have been found. The protocol has successfully phased out substances like CFCs and halons, and in 2009, it became the first UN treaty to achieve universal ratification.
World Ozone Day, or International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, is a UN-designated day established on September 16, 1994. Every year, a different theme is set, and this year, it is “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Actions”. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
