COMMEMORATING THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE
PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER, TODAY TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16
Both in the past and present, mankind have been bewildered by so many
environmental hazards and challenges. Presently the worst of these challenges
is mainly attributable to depletion of the Ozone Layer.
The Ozone Layer is a fragile shield of gases that protects the earth
from the harmful ultraviolet radiation or rays of the sun thereby helping to
preserve lives on the planet in question.
A number of commonly used chemicals like halocarbons and/or organic
compounds have been found to be extremely damaging to the Ozone layer.
Halocarbons are chemicals in which one or more carbon atoms are linked to one
or more halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine. The halocarbons
containing bromine usually have much higher Ozone-Depleting Potential (ODP)
than those that consist of chlorine.
The man-made chemicals that have provided most of the chlorine and
bromine for Ozone depletion are methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon
tetrachloride, and families of chemicals known as halons, chlorofluorocarbons
and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons. In the same vein; the damaging impacts of
organic compounds like carbon monoxide on the Ozone layer, cannot be
overemphasized.
The scientific confirmation of the depletion of the Ozone layer prompted
the international community to establish a mechanism for cooperation to take
drastic action to protect the Ozone layer. This was formalized in the Vienna
Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which was adopted by
twenty-eight (28) countries on 22nd March 1985. In September 1987,
this led to the drafting of the Treaty on The Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which was duly signed by all the United Nations
Member States.
The fundamental aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the Ozone
layer by taking severe measures to control total global production and
consumption of substances that deplete it, with the ultimate target towards
their elimination from the basis of developments in scientific knowledge and
technological information.
In view of the steady progress made under the Montreal Protocol, in 2003,
the former United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan stated, “Perhaps the
single most successful international agreement till date has been the Montreal
Protocol.” His views were shared widely among the international community.
In respect to the sustenance of the widely observed Montreal Protocol,
on 19th of December 1994, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly
proclaimed September 16 of every year as the International Day for the Preservation
of the Ozone Layer. The UN annual Int’l Day for the Preservation of the Ozone
Layer focuses on the importance of protecting human health and the environment
in general.
The phase-out of controlled uses
of Ozone depleting substances has not only helped to protect the Ozone layer,
but has contributed immensely and significantly to global efforts of addressing
climate change. This year’s commemoration of the Int’l Day for the Preservation
of the Ozone Layer is calling for greater awareness regarding the Ozone Layer’s
preservation in order to fully actualize the aim of this remarkable globally
recognized crusade.
During the 2013 commemoration of
the Day, which was marked with the theme “A healthy Atmosphere: the Future we
want,” in his message to the world, the current UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban
Ki-Moon commended all who had made the Montreal Protocol such an outstanding
example of international cooperation. He went further to urge governments,
industries, civil societies, and other partners to apply the same spirit to the
other great environmental and developmental challenges of our time.
As the world over celebrates the
2014 Int’l Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, today Tuesday September
16, we are expected to contribute our quota towards actualizing an atmosphere
or environment that is totally free from any harmful substance.
Nigeria as a country can encourage this annual event by implementing
drastic and severe measures that would help to eradicate all the activities
contrary to the preservation of the Ozone layer such as bush burning, use of
generators and other household mechanical devices in open places, coupled with
other industrial practices that exhibit Carbon Monoxide or smoke as well as
other substances that negatively affect the Ozone layer.
It is worthy to note that all hands are equally expected to be on deck
towards the actualization of a society completely free from any form of
environmental hazard or degradation.
COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
Public
Affairs analyst & Social activist
_______________________________
+2348054719437
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