World Ozone Day 2024
Dr. Parveen Kumar*
The atmosphere surrounding us has different layers based on temperature. Starting from the planet earth, the first layer is Troposphere which extends up to a height of 12 kilometers from the earth, the next is Stratosphere which extends up to a height of 50 kilometers, than mesosphere which goes up to 90 kilometers, next is the thermosphere which goes up to 800 kilometers and then the outermost exosphere which exists up to 3000 kilometers. All these different layers have different temperature ranges. Of these different layers, the stratosphere is characterized by the presence of Ozone gas, very vital for survival of life on this planet.
OZONE: THE PROTECTIVE SHEILD
Ozone is a special form of oxygen with the chemical formula O3. The oxygen that we breathe in and that is so vital to life on earth is O2. Ozone (O3) 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. Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs harmful solar ultraviolet radiations. 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.
OZONE HOLE:
In the late 1970s, scientists discovered a hole in this protective shield. This they attributed to humanity and this raised the alarm. The hole was caused by ozone-depleting gases (ODSs) used in aerosols and cooling, such as refrigerators and air-conditioners. The use of these ODSs has also the threat to increase cases of skin cancer and cataracts, and damage plants, crops, and ecosystems. Years later on, publications 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.
HISTORY OF THE GLOBAL DAY:
Sep. 16 is celebrated every year as the World Ozone Day to remind people about the depletion of this protective shield and to come together to find solutions to protect it. The international community when realized the scientific confirmation of the depletion of the ozone layer came together to establish a mechanism for cooperation so as to take action to protect the ozone layer. This effort was formalized in the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which was adopted and signed by 28 countries, on 22 March 1985. In September 1987, this led to the drafting of The Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone layer. The Montreal protocol was structured around several groups of ozone depleting substances. The Protocol requires the control of nearly 100 chemicals, in several categories. For each group or annex of chemicals, the Treaty sets out a timetable for the phase-out of production and consumption of those substances, with the aim of eventually eliminating them completely. There are a few exceptions for essential uses where no acceptable substitutes have been found, for example, in metered dose inhalers (MDI) commonly used to treat asthma and other respiratory problems or halon fire-suppression systems used in submarines and aircraft. In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing in 1987 of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer vide resolution 49/114. On 16th September 2009, the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol became the first treaties in the history of the United Nations to achieve universal ratification. In support of the Protocol, the Kigali Amendment, which came into force in 2019, will work towards reducing hydro fluorocarbon (HFCs), greenhouse gases with powerful climate warming potential and damaging to the environment.
THEME OF WORLD OZONE DAY 2024:
True to the importance and vitality of this protective shield, this year the theme of the world ozone day is ‘Ozone for Life'. This is because of this 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.
Global efforts towards protecting Ozone: The layer needs to be protected at any cost. The way out is to ensure phasing out of use of ozone depleting substances. The global efforts towards related reductions have not only helped protect the ozone layer for this and future generations, but have also contributed significantly to global efforts to address climate change; furthermore, it has protected human health and ecosystems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth. In this regard The Montreal Protocol is rightly hailed as a multilateralism success story. It united the world to phase out ozone-depleting substances putting the ozone layer on the path to recovery and protecting all life on Earth. Phasing out ozone-depleting substances has proven to be a powerful tool for climate action that has helped slow down global warming, for example, postponing the first ice-free Arctic summer by up to 15 years. Through the Kigali Amendment, climate action is being further accelerated. Countries commit to phase down the production and consumption of hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) powerful climate-warming gases that replaced ozone-depleting substances in the various sectors. If the Amendment is fully ratified and implemented, up to 0.5°C of warming could be avoided by 2100. Cooling equipment represents 20 per cent of total electricity consumption today and is expected to more than double by 2050. Kigali Amendment implementation alongside a switch to energy efficient cooling equipment could potentially double these gains. Work has already begun to deliver on these climate action gains. Nearly 80 per cent of Parties have ratified the Kigali Amendment, including the US, China and India, all major producers or consumers of HFCs. Developed countries began phasing down HFCs since 2019 with many developing countries starting this year.
Understanding the gravity of situation, the global response has been decisive. The recent COVID-19 pandemic also came as a blessing for the nature. With all the transport modes coming to a halt, the resultant reduction in release of harmful gases improved the quality of air and the ozone layer.
THE WAY FORWARD:
The way forward lies in collaborations and collective global actions. These collective actions under the Montreal protocol have already started paying. The global efforts to phase out ozone depleting substances have already resulted in healing of the ozone hole ultimately protecting life on this planet. World Ozone Day also celebrates this achievement. It shows that collective decisions and action, guided by science, are the only way to solve major global crises. The recent outbreak of the pandemic is also an example of how collective actions are necessary to fight all such threats which have the potential to engulf entire humanity. So, on this World Ozone Day, we not only celebrate the achievements to date but also look to the future for deeper and faster action under the Montreal Protocol; deeper and faster for not only the ozone layer, but also, for people, for climate and for the planet.
The author writes on agriculture
and social issues, can be reached
at pkumar6674@gmail.com
