Ozone for Life

 

The environment usually refers to our surroundings. That is, the plants, animals, water, soil, sky, and atmosphere around us are included in the environment. Interdependence between these elements of the environment has existed since the creation of the world. Recent research has identified five major tipping points at risk at current levels of global warming. They are the destruction of coral reefs, the melting of the Labrador Sea and sub-Antarctic ice sheets, the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, and the melting of permafrost. Melting of the Greenland ice sheet could contribute to sea level rise that could threaten subtropical regions around the world. Melting permafrost has the potential to release large amounts of greenhouse gases trapped beneath the ice. Along with the potential damage to the entire marine environment, coral reefs, known as the nursery of the ocean, are facing an existential crisis due to warming waters and acidification.

Every year, we celebrate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone, also known as World Ozone Day, on September 16. This date was specifically selected by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 to commemorate the historic signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer by numerous countries on the same day in 1987. This protocol marked the initiation of a vital initiative to safeguard the ozone layer, addressing the urgent need as it began to deplete. Fast forward 30 years from the establishment of the Montreal Protocol, and we have witnessed a promising development: the ozone hole has been found to be gradually closing. The positive impacts of these efforts are expected to endure for as long as a century.

 

The ozone layer was found by French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson in 1913. There was no radiation below a wavelength of about 310 nanometers at the ultraviolet end of the spectrum, despite measurements of the sun's radiation revealing that it typically matches a spectrum of a black body with extremely high temperatures. This prompted the researchers to conclude that the UV radiation that was absent was being absorbed by the atmosphere. After conducting numerous scientific investigations, it was eventually determined that the spectrum of the missing radiation could only be matched to ozone, one known molecule.

 

The ozone layer located within the stratosphere of the earth receives majority of UV rays from the Sun. It has a greater amount of ozone than other parts of the atmosphere, but being comparatively tiny in proportion to other gases in the stratosphere. With location and season fluctuations, it typically occurs between 10 and 22 miles above the earth's surface in the lower stratosphere.

The day is dedicated to educating the public about the significance of the ozone layer and the impact of ozone depletion on the environment and human health. It highlights the need for continued action to protect and restore the ozone layer. Each year, World Ozone Day has a specific theme that reflects current issues and goals related to ozone layer protection.

The theme for 2024 is “Ozone for Life,” focusing on the positive outcomes of the Montreal Protocol in promoting the recovery of the ozone layer and addressing climate change.

The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere, absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Its protection is crucial for preventing skin cancer, cataracts, and other health issues, as well as preserving ecosystems and biodiversity.

World Ozone Day History speaks about the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1994. However, the Montreal Protocol was ratified in 187, and efforts to give the agreement an official seal of significance were launched in 1995 about the same. All 197 UN members have accepted this convention, which prohibits the use of substances that deplete the ozone layer. World Ozone Day is celebrated on the 16th September. The Montreal Protocol aims to preserve the Ozone layer by limiting the production of substances thought to be contributing to its thinning.

 

Ozone layer is continuously depleting which is highly alarming situation of today. Chloroflourocarbons are major cause of ozone depletion. These substances should be banned or we should use their alternatives so that in future we can protect ourselves from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Human eye and skin are the most exposed part of the body to these radiations. So there is high degree of incidence of blindness and skin cancer disease increasing day by day with the depletion of ozone layer so we should use sunglasses and full body clothes especially in summer when there is high intensity of sunlight so that we can protect our body from harmful UV radiations. We should also use sun block creams to our most exposed parts of body like face.

We should also don’t consume water from lakes as it may contain high quantity of hydrogen peroxide which is toxic to our bodies, and we should consume water for drinking from clean water sources.