18th International Day for preservation of the Ozone Layer celebrated

On 16 September every year, from 1995 onwards the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated. This date was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 49/114, to memorialize the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. With this, The Montreal Protocol is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The theme for this year’s celebration was Protecting our Atmosphere for Generations to come. In India it was celebrated at at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State for Environment & Forests Government of India was the Chief Guest.

This celebration around the world offers a chance to focus attention and action at the global, regional and national levels on the protection of the ozone layer. The ozone layer is a layer in Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere from approximately 20 to 30 kilometres (12 to 19 mi) above Earth. It protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Scientist in the 1970’s discovered that the layer was thinning as a result of the release of CFC’s which resulted in the development of ozone hole. In 1985 national around the world signed an agreement and developed a framework for cooperative activities to protect the ozone layer in Vienna which is known by Vienna convention for the protection of ozone layer.