International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone (World Ozone Day) Layer was observed yesterday, commemorating the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on 16 September 1987.
The Ozone Layer’s primary function is to shield humans from the sun’s harmful UltraViolet (UV) rays but through commercial and industrial activities that have emitted harmful gases over time, the ozone layer has been depleted.
While stressing this point during the commemorative event yesterday, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Dr. Mahendra Reddy said it was fortunate that the international community saw it prudent to implement a set of global commitments to help mitigate damages to the ozone layer.
Minister Reddy said the issue of ozone depletion was brought to the forefront in the late 1970s as cases of skin cancer and cataracts increased.
“It was noted that over the previous few decades, there had been a rise in the production, supply and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) used in aerosols and cooling equipment such as refrigerators, and air-conditioners.
“The impact of UV rays were also seen to have an impact on the agriculture sector, crops and livestock in particular,” added Hon. Reddy.
Noting the gravity of the matter, The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was established in 1985 and subsequently the Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substance was signed in 1987 in Montreal, now known as the Montreal Protocol.
“The primary objective of the Protocol is the international consensus and action regarding the drastic decrease of production and use of these substances which results in increased UV radiation and consequently has a negative impact on human health and ecosystem.
“To abide by the Montreal Protocol, governments, scientists, and industry partners collaborated to reduce ozone-depleting chemicals by nearly 99% over a period of time. The ozone layer is recovering thanks to the Montreal Protocol, and it is projected to return to its pre-1980 levels by the middle of the century which in turn preserves human health, economies, and ecosystems,” he said.
Minister Reddy also highlighted the contents of the United Nations Environment Program report titled “About Montreal Protocol” published on the UNEP homepage which noted that approximately 135 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions were reduced by the Montreal Protocol due to the ban on ozone-depleting chemicals between 1990 and 2010.
“The report further notes that the Kigali Amendment, which came into force in 2019, is seeking to take this climate contribution to the next level.
“It works towards reducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs), greenhouse gases with powerful climate-warming potential that are damaging to the environment. Therefore, this year's theme of “Montreal Protocol - keeping us, our food and vaccines cool” is considered timely to reflect on the global COVID 19 pandemic,” he said.
This year’s World Ozone Day highlights that ‘The Montreal Protocol’ protects not just the ozone layer, but also other delicate ecological systems. These include reducing the impact of climate change, such as cutting back on the amount of fossil fuel that is used in the cooling sector, which in turn helps guarantee food security.