World Ozone Day 2022: History, theme, significance and other details

Ozone Day: The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer or World Ozone Day is celebrated every year on September 16 to highlight the importance of the ozone layer and raise awareness among the people about the harmful effects of ozone depletion. The day acts as a reminder about the need to protect the ozone. It also brings focus towards finding more efficient measures for the same. There are several reports that claim that the already impacted ozone layer will continue its effect for around 5 to 10 decades. This can worsen the situation in the coming days for human beings. 

History of World Ozone Day 

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer in 1994. This was done to commemorate the date of the signing of the 'Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer' by the governments of 46 nations around the world in 1987. It was also known as the "Montreal Protocol". 

Theme of World Ozone Day

The theme of this year's World Ozone Day is Montreal Protocol@35: global cooperation protecting life on earth. The theme not only encourages sustainable development but also recognises the wider impact of the Montreal Protocol. 

Significance 

The day holds significance as it is the ozone layer that absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation of the sun and thus limits the amount of this radiation that reaches humans. As radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and several other health-related complications, the ozone layer plays an important role.

However, there are reports that suggest the northern hemisphere's ozone layer thickness has fallen by 4 per cent annually. Among the most significant destroyers of the ozone layer are manmade chlorofluorocarbons (also known as CFCs).