CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD OZONE DAY-2014 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER. Theme: Ozone layer protection -The mission goes on

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1 CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD OZONE DAY-2014 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER Theme: Ozone layer protection -The mission goes on Organized by Gujarat Cleaner Production Centre- ENVIS Centre Block No. 11 & 12, 3rd Floor, Udyog Bhavan, Sector-11, Gandhinagar , Gujarat 1

2 The UN General Assembly proclaimed 16th 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. World Ozone Day is an annual event that commemorates the date of the signing in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol. The theme for the 2014 celebrations highlighted the fact that efforts to protect the ozone layer continue in earnest and encouraged action to address future challenges. Gujarat Cleaner Production Centre ENVIS Centre, celebrated World Ozone Day in-house at conference room. Shri. Heer Desai, Project Assistant, GCPC-ENVIS, presented theme based presentation on current situation and importance of ozone layer including the steps needed for preservation of Ozone Layer. GCPC- ENVIS team also discussed the importance of Cleaner production for Ozone Layer Protection and pledged to take proactive steps conducting Cleaner Production Awareness programmes in various industrial sectors and institutional organizations for overall environmental preservation. 2

3 The gist of the presentation is as under: Importance and facts of Ozone Layer: Ozone protects living organisms by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVB) from the sun. Keeps out about 95% of UV rays Ozone is a triatomic form of oxygen (O3) found in Earth s upper and lower atmosphere. The ozone layer, situated in the stratosphere about 15 to 30 km above the earth's surface. 3

4 Ozone Layer Destruction Causes and Effects: The destruction of ozone layer is caused by one factor only which is Chlorofluorocarbons released in atmosphere through human activities/ unplanned industrial growth. The destruction of the ozone layer is primarily caused when the amount of gases that contain chlorine begins to increase in the environment. As these gases rise upwards, they are exposed to UV light. This then causes a chemical reaction which creates chlorine atoms. These affect the atoms of ozone and cause ozone depletion. Thinning of ozone layer means getting direct in touch with ultra violet rays which can cause skin cancer or skin irritation which can lead to death. A decrease in 1% of ozone layer can cause 5% increase in cases of skin cancer. UV rays can penetrate through water and can kill small plants and animals. If ozone hole keep on expanding, there would be very few plants which means less food in the whole world. Certain crops will also be affected Ways to prevent ozone layer depletion: Reduce our carbon footprints using environment friendly materials in day to day life Aware people about the importance of ozone layer in our life Promote recycling & energy efficient technologies / renewable sources of energy Implement rules and policies for the protection of ozone layer Move towards Cleaner Production because prevention is better than cure 4

5 Latest News on Ozone Layer Nairobi/Geneva, 10 September 2014 (UNEP/WMO) - The Earth's protective ozone layer is well on track to recovery in the next few decades thanks to concerted international action against ozone depleting substances, according to a new associated agreements, atmospheric levels of assessment by 300 scientists. Without the Montreal Protocol and ozone depleting substances could have increased tenfold by According to global models, the Protocol will have prevented 2 million cases of skin cancer annually by 2030, averted damage to human eyes and immune systems, and protected wildlife and agriculture, according to UNEP. 5

6 "There are positive indications that the ozone layer is on track to recovery towards the middle of the century. The Montreal Protocol - one of the world's most successful environmental treaties - has protected the stratospheric ozone layer and avoided enhanced UV radiation reaching the earth's surface," said UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. 6

7 Ways to prevent ozone layer depletion Reduce our carbon footprints using environment friendly materials in day to day life Aware people about the importance of ozone layer in our life Promote recycling & energy efficient technologies / renewable sources of energy Implement rules and policies for the protection of ozone layer Move towards Cleaner Production because prevention is better than cure Ozone Layer on Track to Recovery Sep 10, 2014 Nairobi/Geneva, 10 September 2014 (UNEP/WMO) - The Earth's protective ozone layer is well on track to recovery in the next few decades thanks to concerted international action against ozone depleting substances, according to a new associated agreements, atmospheric levels of assessment by 300 scientists. Without the Montreal Protocol and ozone depleting substances could have increased tenfold by According to global models, the Protocol will have prevented 2 million cases of skin cancer annually by 2030, averted damage to human eyes and immune systems, and protected wildlife and agriculture, according to UNEP. "There are positive indications that the ozone layer is on track to recovery towards the middle of the century. The Montreal Protocol - one of the world's most successful environmental treaties - has protected the stratospheric ozone layer and avoided enhanced UV radiation reaching the earth's surface," said UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. 7

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