The World Ozone Day in 2022 ( September 16) reminds us to reaffirm our commitment to the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. In an effort to increase public awareness of the importance of safeguarding the layer that protects all life on Earth from the Sun’s harmful UV radiation, the United Nations established the day in 1994.
By the middle of the century, the ozone layer is likely to return to its pre-1980 levels.
Greenhouse gases, methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and chemical members of the hydrofluorocarbon and chlorofluorocarbon families all contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer (HFCs).
In the late 1970s, scientists first discovered a hole in the ozone layer, which they eventually linked to ozone-depleting substances. These gases are utilised in refrigeration and air conditioning, two cooling processes.
While the original Montreal Protocol and its nine revisions have successfully reduced the use of ozone-depleting chemicals like hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and halons, the ozone hole over Antarctica will only be fully replenished by 2070.
World Ozone Day : How can we preserve the ozone layer
We will reflect on how the Montreal Protocol put an end to one of the greatest threats to humanity’s survival that has ever existed as the world ozone day treaty celebrates its 35th anniversary.
The world came together when it was discovered that ozone-depleting gases used in aerosols and cooling were causing a hole in the sky.
They phased out these gases and demonstrated the value of multilateralism and successful international cooperation. Now that the ozone layer is recovering, it can once more protect people from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
1) While the Montreal Protocol did phase out many products using ozone-depleting substances (ODS), there are still many products that use them today. Electronic appliances, hair sprays, room fresheners, chemical fertilisers, cleaning products, foam blowing agents, solvents and fumigants contain ODS. Limit their use or look for alternatives that do not contain CFCs, HCFCs, hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs), halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform.
2) When buying electronic appliances that contain coolants, try to ensure that they don’t use any ODS. Whenever you are disposing of an electronic appliance that contains coolants like fridges and air-conditioners ensure that you are giving them over to professionals to recycle. Improper handling can result in the cooling loop being damaged and releasing ODS into the atmosphere.
3) You should also regularly maintain such electrical appliances to ensure that they haven’t been leaking their ODS coolant into the atmosphere. Buying newer appliances that use more environmentally friendly coolants is ideal.
4) Finally, you should reduce use of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as much as possible. Despite the use of catalytic converters and other harm-reduction technologies, ICE vehicles still produce ODS. Switch to electric vehicles and stick to walking or cycling for shorter distances as much as possible.
By the end of this century, Earth would have scorched, quite literally, from a 0.5 to 1°C temperature increase. If the ozone layer depletion is not preserved, climate change will have the advantage it needs to end all life on Earth.
Plants would not be able to capture carbon dioxide if they were not protected from UV radiation, which will increase climate change. According to the study, the ozone layer would have vanished by 2040 without the Montreal Protocol.
It’s anticipated that the ozone layer will reach pre-1980 levels by the middle of this century. The ozone layer is being destroyed by greenhouse gases, methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and chemical families of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
It’s anticipated that the ozone layer will reach pre-1980 levels by the middle of this century. The ozone layer is being destroyed by greenhouse gases, methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and chemical families of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
World Ozone Day in 2022, lets pledge our commitment to preserve the health of our ozone layer.
